By Oluwasore Alabi
Hajiya Fatima and her daughter Amina, family members of Alhaji Muhammad Swasun, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been abucted by a five man gang of armed men. The attack, which occurred on Sunday night in the Sakpefu area, saw gunmen jump over the fence into the chairman’s home, firing shots into the air before taking away the victims at gunpoint.
This brazen act, carried out without any known resistance or interruption, raises serious concerns about the safety of citizens and the preparedness of security agencies to respond to such incidents. According to reliable reports, the gunmen operated for several minutes, suggesting that the area was either poorly patrolled or lacked any real-time security response.
Even more worrying is the fact that the target was a political figure. If the home of a local party chairman someone who should be under some form of protection can be so easily breached, what hope is there for the average citizen? The kidnappers’ boldness points to a failing system where criminals now operate with impunity.
While the motivations behind the abduction remain unclear, the message is loud and clear: no one is truly safe. This incident is not isolated. Across Nigeria, stories of kidnappings, armed robbery, and attacks on communities have become far too common. Each case chips away at public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
It is high time both the federal and state governments took more decisive action. Security should not just be a campaign promise, it must be a top priority. Law enforcement agencies need better funding, modern equipment, and regular training. More importantly, there must be intelligence-led operations that prevent crimes before they happen.
The people of Patigi, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve to live in peace. Government officials, community leaders, and security stakeholders must come together to find lasting solutions to this growing insecurity. The longer we wait, the bolder the criminals become.
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