Tension was present in Lafiagi, Kwara State’s Edu Local Government Area, on Monday as angry youths protested growing banditry and insecurity.
The demonstrators, who were primarily young people from the area, reportedly took to the streets early in the morning to express their annoyance at the spate of murders, kidnappings, and terrorist acts that have afflicted the area in recent weeks.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Lafiagi office was set on fire during the demonstration, which quickly descended into violence. Additionally, the demonstrators broke inside the Emir of Lafiagi’s palace and damaged parts of the structure, including multiple windows.
According to a local, who spoke about the intolerable levels of anxiety and insecurity, the demonstration was long time.
In silently, we have been weeping and passing away. Each week, people are abducted. We no longer sleep with both eyes closed, and no one is taking any action to address this, not even the Emir, the chairman, or the governor,” the resident stated.
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The protest, according to another source, was a reaction to months of pent-up resentment over the state government’s purported inaction.
The youths are weary, he continued, and the government is not taking any concrete steps. The governor and our chairman refuse to assist us.
The intensity of the attacks is increasing. The kids demonstrated today for that reason. They visited the security agency’s offices and the Emir’s palace. The NDLEA headquarters was set on fire.
The demonstration follows a string of kidnappings in Lafiagi and the neighboring areas. Three residents have reportedly been abducted in different attacks in the past 48 hours alone.
Among the most recent victims is Yman, a well-known Point of Sale (POS) agent who was kidnapped in Lafiagi town on Sunday night. During a brutal raid on Kokodo village early on Monday, two Hausa men were captured, and a small girl barely survived after running into the forest.
“The attacks are getting out of control.” On Sunday night, the POS guy was abducted. “The two other individuals, who are Hausa, were also abducted this morning,” a community member revealed.
While security personnel and vigilante groups have been alerted and have begun search operations, he continued, no communication has yet been made with the kidnappers.
