Tension erupted in Lafiagi, the headquarters of Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Monday as angry youths set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office and parts of the Emir’s Palace, following a wave of violent kidnappings in the region.
The protest was triggered by the abduction of a prominent businessman, popularly known as Alhaji Chemical, who was kidnapped from his residence in the Taiwo area of Lafiagi around 1:00 am on Sunday by armed men suspected to be bandits.
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According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the area on motorcycles and engaged local vigilantes in heavy gunfire before whisking away the victim. Sources describe the operation as well-coordinated and deliberately targeted.
Lafiagi Community in Panic
Monday’s incident sparked massive protests, with enraged residents blocking major roads, burning tyres, and calling on the government to urgently tackle the growing kidnapping crisis.
In a viral video from the scene, a protester said:
“The situation is getting out of hand. People are being kidnapped almost every week. We can’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore.”
The protesters also referenced a recent case involving the abduction of a young Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, further highlighting the deteriorating state of security in Kwara North.
Police Confirm Attack, Four NDLEA Detainees Freed
Confirming the incident, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, revealed that miscreants who hijacked the protest damaged glass louvres in the Emir’s palace and set the NDLEA office ablaze. He also disclosed that four suspects being held at the NDLEA office were freed by the protesters.
“As I speak to you now, police officers, soldiers, local hunters, and vigilantes are combing the Lafiagi forests in search of the kidnapped victims,” CP Ojo stated during a phone interview.
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He added that he was in Lafiagi alongside the Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, to assess the situation and restore calm.
Rising Insecurity in Kwara State
This latest abduction adds to a string of recent violent incidents in Kwara. Just last week, police confirmed the abduction of a 12-year-old girl, Hassana Abdullahi, in Gaa Ayetoro, Lile village. Additionally, three people were killed during a deadly attack on Mari village in the Patigi Local Government Area.
Residents are now urging both state and federal authorities to deploy more resources, intensify security patrols, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
- Stay with Naija Blog Daily for ongoing updates on this developing story.
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