Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Irate youths in Lafiagi, Edu local government area of Kwara State went on rampage as they took to the streets in protest against the relentless surge in kidnappings, killings, and terrorist attacks plaguing their communities.
The angry youths set the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) office ablaze and stormed the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi,
vandalising windows and other parts of the structure in a dramatic expression
of pent-up anger over what they described as years of government neglect. The
youths say they have been crying and dying in silence as their people get
kidnapped every week.
According to residents of the community, three people were
kidnapped within the last 12 hours in two separate incidents. Among them is a
popular Point of Sale (POS) agent known as Yman, who was abducted Sunday night
in Lafiagi town.
In the early hours of Monday, two other victims, both Hausa
men, were taken during a violent raid on Kokodo village, a nearby settlement. A
young girl narrowly escaped the attackers by fleeing into the surrounding
bushes.
“These
attacks are becoming too rampant. The POS guy was kidnapped Sunday evening, and
now two Hausa men were also taken this morning. We haven’t heard from the
kidnappers, but vigilantes and security operatives have been briefed.” a
resident said
The outburst of anger reached a tipping point after the
recent abduction of a prominent agro-chemical dealer, popularly known as Alhaji
Chemical, who was kidnapped from his home in the Taiwo area of Lafiagi around
1:00 a.m. on Sunday. Eyewitnesses say the attackers, believed to be bandits,
arrived on motorcycles and overpowered local vigilantes with sophisticated
weapons before escaping with their victim.
One resident described today’s protest as a result of
bottled-up anger over repeated terrorist invasions.
“The youths
are tired, and no tangible actions are coming from the government. Our chairman
and the governor are not willing to help us.”the resident said
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