Panic swept across communities in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Sunday as many churches abruptly ended their worship services following reports of suspected bandits sighted around farm settlements in Ipere Ekiti.
The development comes barely three weeks after armed bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC Number Two, in Eda-Oniyo Ekiti, where a pastor was killed and sixteen worshippers abducted, leaving residents of the area in deep fear and uncertainty.
Reports of another group of suspected bandits, allegedly dressed in military uniforms, chasing farmers from their farms in Ipere Ekiti triggered fresh tension across the seven towns and villages in the council area.
Residents said the rumours created widespread panic as families and worshippers hurried home over fears of possible attacks.
Community sources disclosed that the suspected armed men were reportedly seen around the forest boundaries linking Orin Ekiti, Ayede Ekiti and Itaji-Oye Ekiti.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, the Nigerian Army and the Police, were said to have been mobilised to comb the affected areas and verify the reports.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Mr. Pius Alaba Dada, said no life was lost and no attack was recorded contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.
He explained that security personnel were immediately deployed to the bush areas after receiving information about the suspected movement of bandits.
Mr Dada who dismissed the rumour of bandits attack, explained that the security men who combed the bush were unable to find anything relating to such claims but he maintained that though some Farmers rushed home from their farms with the report of bandits operating in boundaries among Ayede, Itaji-oye and Ifaki Ipere Ekiti axis.
Mr. Dada appealed to residents not to panic, assuring them that security agencies were fully on top of the situation.
He also urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement or strange activities in their communities to security operatives to prevent any security breach
