Residents of Lafiagi in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday protested against what they described as worsening insecurity in their communities, citing repeated incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, and killings.
The protesters, mostly youths, expressed frustration over the situation and called for urgent government intervention.
The protest turned violent and resulted in the burning of the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the area following the arrest of some protesters.
Additionally, three cars belonging to senior officials of the agency were reportedly burned during the protest.
It was learnt that during the protest, the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu, was also vandalized, with windows smashed and parts of the building damaged.
In a viral video from the scene, the protesters were seen chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards demanding action to end the bloodshed and abductions that have disrupted daily life in the area.
One of the protesters who preferred anonymity said: “We have been crying and dying in silence. People are being kidnapped every week. We no longer sleep with both eyes closed, and nobody seems to care about our plight.
“This particular protest was triggered by the kidnapping of three women in Kokodo village and two men in Lafiagi on Saturday and Sunday. There is already pent-up anger from months of insecurity and poor response from authorities”.
A resident, who identified himself as Yunusa Ahmed, said that the youths reacted after some of the protesters were arrested by NDLEA operatives who accused them of being drug addicts.
“The NDLEA arrested some of the protesters, claiming they were drug addicts. Others went to the agency’s office to demand their release, and during the confrontation, the office and some vehicles, about three cars, were burnt,” he said.
Sources said the protest some of the protesters broke the gate of the Emir’s palace while the Emir was reportedly out of town and attempted to set it on fire, but were stopped by soldiers and local security operatives guarding the palace.
The protest, which began around 11 am, disrupted school and farming activities as students and farmers were advised to remain indoors.
The sources added that “Over 100 local vigilantes and the military moved into the forest yesterday. One of the kidnapped victims has been rescued after the abductors abandoned him, but they went away with the others. The operation is ongoing, and farmers and students have been told to stay at home.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA in Kwara State, Mr Gobir Moshood, said, “I will get back to you, please.”
On his part, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, did not respond to inquiries.
However, a police source said she had travelled to Lafiagi with the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, over the incident.
“No arrests have been made yet, but the NDLEA office and about three cars and a motorcycle were burnt,” the source said.
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