**Bandits Wreak Havoc in Ekiti Communities, Leaving Trail of Death and Desperation** In a disturbing turn of events, residents of Irele, Ijowa, and Oke-Ako communities in Ekiti State are living in perpetual fear as bandits continue to lay siege to their villages. For over 11 days, these communities have been under attack, resulting in the tragic loss of an elderly woman's life and the abduction of several residents. The situation is particularly dire in Irele, where the Akogun, High Chief Kehinde Abejide, has described the security situation as alarming. He appealed to the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, and security agencies to urgently deploy more personnel to the affected communities to prevent further loss of lives. The attacks have taken a toll on the residents, who are now too afraid to engage in their daily activities. Farming and trading, which are the mainstay of these communities, have come to a grinding halt. The people are living in constant fear, unsure of what the next day will bring. The Akogun narrated a particularly gruesome incident involving an elderly woman, popularly known as Mummy Isaac. She was attacked alongside her son while returning from the farm on a motorcycle. The gunmen opened fire, leaving the young man with gunshot injuries. The woman was dragged into the forest and later confirmed dead. The assailants contacted her family and demanded N1.5 million in exchange for her remains, which they eventually released for burial. This incident is not an isolated case, as four additional persons were abducted during the same period. The security situation is worsening, and the residents are calling on the government to take immediate action to prevent further loss of lives. The recent attacks in Ekiti State are a stark reminder of the security challenges facing our nation. The people of Irele, Ijowa, and Oke-Ako communities are not alone in their struggles. Similar incidents have occurred in neighbouring communities, leaving a trail of death and desperation in their wake. It is imperative that the government and security agencies take prompt action to address this situation and ensure the safety of the residents. The people of Ekiti State deserve to live without fear of bandits and kidnappers. It is time for the government to rise to the challenge and provide the necessary support to these communities.