Protests erupted in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday as enraged youths set fire to the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and vandalised parts of the Emir’s palace, in response to escalating insecurity across their communities.
The demonstrators, primarily youths from affected villages, voiced deep frustration over the growing spate of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks by suspected criminal groups. Chanting slogans and calling for urgent intervention, they decried what they described as years of abandonment by both local authorities and traditional leaders.
“We are no longer safe. People are being kidnapped almost every day, and we live in fear. No one is coming to our aid—not the governor, not the chairman, not even the Emir,” a protester said.
The protest followed a series of abductions in recent days that have left residents terrified. Local sources reported that three people, including a popular Point of Sale (POS) operator identified as “Yman,” were abducted in two separate incidents between Sunday night and Monday morning. Yman was reportedly taken from Lafiagi town, while two other victims were kidnapped during a violent raid on Kokodo village. A young girl reportedly escaped the attackers by fleeing into the bush.
The unrest intensified after the abduction of a well-known agro-chemical trader, Alhaji Chemical, who was seized from his residence around 1 a.m. on Sunday. Witnesses said the kidnappers, armed with sophisticated weapons, arrived on motorcycles and overpowered the local vigilante group before fleeing with their victim.
“This protest didn’t happen overnight,” said another resident. “We’ve endured repeated attacks and kidnappings. The government has ignored us, and people have reached their breaking point.”
The protests, which turned violent, saw protesters break windows and damage property at the Emir’s palace while demanding accountability from traditional and political leaders. The burning of the NDLEA office was seen as a symbolic expression of frustration over perceived state inaction.
As of press time, security personnel had been deployed to restore order in the community. However, there has been no official response from the Kwara State Government or the Emir of Lafiagi regarding the demonstrations or the ongoing security crisis. Concerns continue to mount across Kwara North, with calls for sustained government intervention to address insecurity in the region.
