Angry residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Council, Kwara State, staged a protest yesterday over what they described as the unending spate of kidnappings in the area.
The protest followed the abduction of a prominent agro-chemical dealer, popularly known as Alhaji Chemical, who was reportedly taken from his home in the Taiwo area at about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday by suspected Fulani bandits.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, shooting sporadically. They overpowered local vigilante members and then abducted the businessman.
The Guardian learnt that the abduction has heightened anxiety in the community, where kidnapping incidents have become increasingly frequent.
Protesters, mostly youth, blocked major roads, set bonfires, and demanded urgent government intervention.
They also referenced a recent kidnapping incident involving a Point of Sale (PoS) operator in the local council, calling it another indication of the deteriorating security situation. “The situation is getting out of hand, we can’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore. People are being taken almost weekly now,” a protester lamented.
The residents called on security agencies to intensify patrols, apprehend the kidnappers, and secure the release of abducted victims.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the killing of four mobile police officers in a fresh attack by armed herders on Udei community in Guma Local Council, Benue State.
HURIWA described the incident as unacceptable and called for urgent and foolproof security measures to address the violence. In a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group urged intelligence agencies to identify the origins of the attackers and adopt a preventive approach to security in farming communities.
Udei community, less than a 15-minute drive from Yelwata—similarly attacked two weeks ago—was invaded on Sunday afternoon. The marauders reportedly attempted to storm the neighbouring village of Daudu but were repelled by a combined team of security agencies and local youths.
The attackers also invaded Asha community, firing indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee their farms. The violence extended to Ortese, home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). However, the military intervened, halting the assault before it escalated further.
HURIWA commended the military’s efforts but called on security forces to strengthen intelligence-gathering to prevent future attacks. The rights group also urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that officers deployed to conflict zones are equipped with advanced weaponry to counter the terrorists and protect citizens effectively.
