Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets on Monday in protest against what they described as worsening insecurity in their communities, including repeated cases of terrorism, kidnapping, and killings.
The protest began early in the day, with a large number of youths marching through the streets. Many of them carried placards and chanted in unison, calling attention to the fear and hardship their community has been facing for months.
According to those involved, the protest was not planned overnight—it was the result of years of frustration with rising violence and what they called the government’s failure to act.
The angry protesters stormed major locations, including government offices and traditional institutions. The office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lafiagi was set on fire by the crowd. In addition, the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi was vandalized. Windows were shattered, and parts of the building were damaged.
In a video shared by residents, a man’s voice could be heard saying, “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.”
Local sources noted that the protest was sparked by continued silence and inaction from those in power. The protesters said they have watched their loved ones disappear, and their pleas have been ignored for too long.
“The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government,” one community member said. “The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”
