Youths Protest Insecurity in Kwara, Set NDLEA Office Ablaze, Vandalize Emir’s Palace
Tension arose in Lafiagi, Kwara State’s Edu Local Government Area, on Monday as angry youths protested growing banditry and insecurity.
The protesters, 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 (NDLEA) office in Lafiagi was set on fire during the demonstration, which quickly descended into violence. The demonstrators also 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 protest was long time.
“In silently, we have been sobbing and passing away. Every week, people are abducted. We no longer sleep with our eyes shut, and no one is taking any action to address this, not even the Emir, the chairman, or the governor,” the resident stated.
According to a different source, the protest was a reaction to months of pent-up resentment over the state government’s purported inaction.
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“The youths are exhausted, and the government is not taking any concrete steps,” he remarked. The governor and our chairman are unwilling to assist us.
“The intensity of the attacks is increasing. The youth demonstrated today for that reason. They visited the offices of the security agency and the palace of the Emir. The office of the NDLEA was set on fire.
The demonstration follows several kidnappings in Lafiagi and the neighboring areas. Three locals have reportedly been abducted in separate attacks in the past 48 hours alone.
One of the most recent victims is Yman, a well-known Point of Sale (POS) agent who was kidnapped in Lafiagi town on Sunday night. A small child barely escaped after running into the bush during a violent raid on Kokodo village early on Monday, and two Hausa men were captured.
“The attacks are getting out of control. On Sunday night, the POS man was abducted. The two other individuals, who are Hausa, were also abducted this morning,” a community member revealed.
He went on to say that although security personnel and vigilante organizations have been alerted and have begun searching, no communication has yet been made with the abductors.
