Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets on Monday to protest what they described as rising insecurity in their communities, including repeated cases of terrorism, kidnapping, and killings.
The protesters, mostly youths from the area, expressed their frustration over what they called government inaction in the face of continued violence. In a video clip, they were seen chanting protest songs and holding placards as they demanded urgent action to stop the killings and abductions affecting daily life.
During the protest, the angry youths set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Lafiagi and vandalised the Emir’s palace, smashing windows and damaging parts of the building.
“We have been crying and dying in silence,” a resident said in the video. “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.”
Sources said the protest was sparked by growing anger over frequent attacks and a lack of serious response from local and state authorities.
“The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government,” a source stated. “The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”
The unrest reportedly grew more intense as the protesters moved toward key government buildings, including security agency offices. Witnesses confirmed that the NDLEA building was set on fire during the demonstration.
Lafiagi and nearby communities have faced a series of kidnappings in recent weeks, with several residents still held in captivity. Families of the victims are said to have paid large ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
