By: Ojay Matthew
A prominent political figure in Kwara State, Asiwaju Mashood Shittu, has condemned the deadly attack on Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area, warning that the incident signals an impending collapse of security if urgent measures are not taken.
Shittu, a respected voice in Kwara South and a trained security analyst with international exposure in counter-terrorism, described the attack as “a confirmation of long-standing security warnings that leaders have repeatedly ignored.” He holds degrees in Peace and Conflict Resolution, Peace and Strategic Studies, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Institute of Crisis Resolution, Peacebuilding and Conciliation (ICRPC).
Speaking on Wednesday, Shittu said the Eruku killings align with his earlier warnings about the infiltration of terrorists into the southern axis of Kwara State. He noted that recent assessments, including those from international observers, reflect the same concerns he has raised for years. “People thought my warnings were political, but they were based on security studies and global case analyses. Once terrorists establish a foothold, removing them can take a decade or more,” he said.
Drawing comparisons to prolonged insurgency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, Shittu warned that Nigeria must not allow a similar pattern to take hold in Kwara. He argued that the nation’s collective experience with Boko Haram underscores the danger of complacency, stressing that temporary calm should never be mistaken for permanent victory. According to him, Nigeria must prioritize rule of law, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations above all other sectors if it wants to avoid deeper instability.
Shittu urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to make security the state’s foremost priority, insisting that no developmental project holds value without safety. He pointed to the successful security model adopted by former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as an example of how swift, multi-layered and sustained security strategies can prevent insurgent penetration. He called on the Kwara State Government to work closely with military, police, DSS and local vigilante structures to implement long-term solutions rather than temporary, reactionary responses.
Warning that Nigeria cannot make progress without a secure environment, Shittu appealed to residents to remain vigilant and resist complacency. He said insecurity must not be allowed to gain a foothold in Kwara South or any other part of the state.
Be the first to comment