Angry youths in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, took to the streets on Monday to protest growing insecurity, including kidnappings and terrorist attacks plaguing their communities.

By Titilope Adako

Angry youths in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, took to the streets on Monday to protest growing insecurity, including kidnappings and terrorist attacks plaguing their communities.

The demonstration turned violent as protesters set ablaze the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in the town and vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, damaging windows and parts of the building.

According to locals, the protest was triggered by the recent abduction of a popular Point of Sale (POS) agent, identified as Yman, who was kidnapped on Sunday night in Lafiagi.

Two other persons, said to be Hausa men, were also abducted in the early hours of Monday during a separate attack on Kokodo village.

A young girl reportedly escaped after fleeing into nearby bushes.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a resident said, “We have been crying and dying in silence. People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore, and nobody, not the governor, not the chairman, not even the Emir, is doing anything about it.”

The resident described the protest as an outburst of frustration following repeated attacks and lack of government response.

“The youths are tired, and no tangible actions are coming from the government. Our chairman and the governor are not willing to help us,” he said.

Another source confirmed that protesters stormed the Emir’s palace and attacked several offices belonging to security agencies.

“The NDLEA office was torched,” the source added.

Lafiagi and surrounding villages have suffered multiple abductions in recent weeks, with several victims still in captivity and their families forced to pay huge ransoms.

The latest abductions, which occurred within a 12-hour window, have heightened fears among residents, with many expressing deep frustration over the worsening insecurity.

“As we speak, nobody has heard from the kidnappers,” a local told SaharaReporters. “But the vigilantes and the security operatives have been briefed, and they are currently working on their rescue.”

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