Tension reached a boiling point in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, as enraged youths took to the streets in a fiery protest against the relentless wave of kidnappings, killings, and terrorist invasions plaguing their communities.
What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly spiraled into chaos. Protesters, frustrated by what they described as deafening government silence and royal indifference, torched the local office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi. Videos and photographs obtained by SaharaReporters reveal shattered windows, smoke rising from public buildings, and crowds chanting for justice and protection.
“We have cried enough. We are dying in silence,” said a visibly distressed resident. “People are being kidnapped weekly, families are shattered, and still—nothing from the governor, the chairman, or even the Emir. Our leaders have abandoned us.”
The protest was reportedly triggered by a series of fresh kidnappings in the area, including the abduction of a popular Point-of-Sale (POS) agent, known locally as Yman, who was taken on Sunday night. In the early hours of Monday, two more residents—both Hausa men—were forcefully abducted during a brazen raid on Kokodo village. A young girl narrowly escaped by fleeing into the nearby bush.
According to local sources, the kidnappers have yet to make contact with the victims’ families, leaving the community gripped by fear and uncertainty. Vigilantes and security personnel are said to be mobilizing in an effort to track down the criminals and rescue the captives.
“The youths stormed the Emir’s palace and other offices because we are tired of being ignored. We’re losing lives, we’re losing hope,” another resident told SaharaReporters. “There have been too many attacks. This isn’t just about anger—it’s about survival.”
The latest chaos follows the recent abduction of a prominent agro-chemical dealer popularly known as Alhaji Chemical, who was whisked away by heavily armed men believed to be Fulani bandits around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, reportedly overpowered the community’s vigilante defenders with superior weapons before escaping with their victim.
Lafiagi and surrounding villages have witnessed a surge in violent crimes over the past few months, with victims abducted almost weekly and families forced to pay exorbitant ransoms. Despite growing calls for action, community leaders and government officials have remained largely silent—fueling resentment and pushing residents to the edge.
Many fear that unless swift, decisive action is taken, the unrest could escalate further and plunge Kwara North into deeper instability.
“This is a breaking point,” said a local elder. “The people have lost faith. The government must act now—or risk losing control entirely.”
As of the time of filing this report, security forces had reportedly been deployed to Lafiagi to restore calm and prevent further destruction, though tension remains dangerously high.
PIONEER NEWS 