Residents of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused suspected terrorists of planting roadside explosives after communities allegedly refused to pay a ₦10 million monthly levy demanded by the armed group.
The allegation follows an explosion in Duruma village on Saturday that reportedly killed a child and left her sibling with a broken leg.
According to reports, the children were on their way to deliver food to relatives working on a farm when one of them, who was walking ahead, stepped on the suspected explosive device. The blast reportedly killed the child instantly, while the sibling sustained serious injuries.
Residents said the incident has heightened fear across affected communities, particularly as farmers are currently harvesting their crops and must frequently travel to their farmlands.
Some residents alleged that the explosives were planted to intimidate communities that refused to meet the group’s financial demands, leaving villagers afraid to use roads and footpaths leading to their farms.
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They called on security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and strengthen security in the affected communities to prevent further casualties.
Residents also warned the public against approaching suspicious objects found along roads or footpaths, urging them to report such discoveries to security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had yet to respond to requests for comments on the explosion and the alleged ₦10 million monthly levy as of the time the report was filed.
The incident has renewed concerns about insecurity in rural parts of Kwara State, where farming remains a major source of livelihood and residents depend on access roads to reach their farmlands.
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