Protest Erupts in Kwara as Suspected Bandits Abduct Second Victim Within 24 Hours *** Protesters Set NDLEA Office Ablaze, Vandalise Traditional Ruler’s Palace, Meeting ongoing to calm  situation, PDP Blames Abdulrazaq’s Silence

By Omowumi Omotosho and Bamidele Aremu

A wave of public outrage swept through Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday as residents, mainly youths, stormed the streets to protest escalating insecurity in the region. The demonstrators decried rising incidents of killings, kidnappings, and terror attacks that have plagued their communities for months.

Numbering in the hundreds, the protesters accused the government of failing to respond to their plight and lamented what they described as consistent neglect amid worsening violence.

In a circulating video clip, the youths were seen chanting protest songs and holding placards with bold messages, demanding decisive action to end the growing bloodshed and restore safety to the area.

The protest spiraled into chaos when some of the demonstrators reportedly set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in the town. The unrest further spread to the Emir’s palace, where angry youths shattered windows and damaged sections of the royal structure.

“We have been crying and dying in silence. People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore, and nobody, neither the governor, the chairman, nor even the Emir, is doing anything about it,” a resident said in the clip.

Sources familiar with the situation linked the incident to months of bottled-up anger over repeated attacks and the failure of both state and local authorities to effectively intervene.

“The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government. The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today,” a source stated.

Eyewitnesses reported that protesters headed toward government facilities and security offices during the demonstration. The NDLEA building was allegedly engulfed in flames during the confrontation.

An authoritative source who spoke to National Pilot under anonymity revealed that stakeholders which include heads of security agencies and some key members of the community are currently meeting at the Emir of Lafiagi’s Palace to repose the situation.

Lafiagi and its surrounding areas have witnessed a surge in abductions in recent times, with several victims still unaccounted for. The latest attack occurred at around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, when armed assailants entered the community on motorcycles, taking the victim without resistance.

Unlike the earlier attack, there was no gunfire from local hunters, who were unable to mount a defense.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded the area unexpectedly and met no resistance from local hunters.

“We didn’t expect that the bandits would attack again because they were around just this midnight, and we are still reeling from that pain.

“They came again around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. They usually come well-armed. This time, unlike the midnight, there was no resistance by the local hunters. So, no exchange of gunfire,” a resident said.

This abduction follows a similar incident early on Sunday, when gunmen kidnapped an agro-chemical dealer, popularly known as Alhaji Chemical, from his home in the Taiwo area of Lafiagi. Despite an attempted defense from local vigilantes, the attackers managed to overpower them and flee with their victim.

The back-to-back kidnappings have heightened concerns among Lafiagi residents about the growing security threat in the community . Many are now calling on authorities to launch a search-and-rescue mission for the victims and to increase security efforts in the area.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Kwara State Police Command proved unsuccessful as the command’s spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not respond to multiple calls placed to her mobile line on Monday morning.

A text message sent to her, which reads: “Good morning Ma, I’m calling from National Pilot. Pls can you confirm if the police are aware of the two abductions in Lafiagi within 24 hrs? Any update on efforts to rescue the victims or beef up security in the area? What’s Kwara State Police Command’s reaction to this Ma?” remained unreplied as of the time of filing this report.

While reacting to the recent kidnapping spree in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area, and the violent protest that erupted in response to the heartbreaking surge in abductions and growing insecurity across Kwara North.

According to the statement released by its publicity secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara on Monday evening, “the protest, which tragically spiraled into the vandalization of public property, including the palace of His Royal Highness, the Etsu of Lafiagi, the NDLEA offices, and other government institutions, is a painful reflection of the frustration and abandonment felt by the people under the watch of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.”

The party made it clear that it stands firmly against violence in any form, but acknowledged the deep-seated frustration, fear, and pain that sparked the emotional reaction.

“In just the last 48 hours, two respected residentsnof Lafiagi, Alhaji Chemical, a prominent agro-chemical dealer, and Yman, a popular POS operator, have been kidnapped in chilling circumstances, with no visible response from either the government or security agencies.

“These latest abductions add to a long list of security failures across Kwara — a disturbing trend that has turned our state into a killing field and a kidnapper’s haven. The people are right to ask: Where is our Governor? Where are the billions budgeted for security every year? Is there any government at all in Kwara State?.

“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s deafening silence and absentee leadership in the face of this unfolding security crisis is not only irresponsible; it is unforgivable. His continued refusal to address the public, visit affected communities, or deploy proactive security interventions reflects a leadership that has either lost touch with reality or lost interest in the lives of the people he was elected to serve and protect.

“In a frustrating situation like this, one cannot expect citizens to remain calm as their Governor blatantly ignores pressing issues of security and welfare, especially while he is seen junketing, far removed from the daily horrors faced by his people, who are left at the mercy of bloodthirsty bandits and kidnappers that have taken over their communities.

“Our party urges security agencies in the state to do more in arresting the menace and not play complacent game of Governor Abdulrahaman who is trying to paint a picture that Kwara is secure when things are already getting out of hands .

“We also call on federal authorities and relevant agencies to take urgent action to rescue the abducted and restore calm in the affected communities.

“We sympathize with all those affected by this tragedy, including victims’ families, local institutions, and traditional authorities, and we pray for the safe return of the abducted,” the PDP stated.