Tension Heightened in Kwara as Irate Youths Burn NDLEA Office During Protest Over Insecurity

Irate Youths Burn NDLEA Office During Protest Over Insecurity

Kwara State tensions flared in Lafiagi as irate youths, fed up with a spike in kidnappings and killings, went on a destructive rampage—setting fire to the local NDLEA office and storming the Emir’s palace in a dramatic demonstration of their fury and frustration 

Rising Incidents Spark Outrage

A wave of violent abductions in recent days triggered the unrest:

• A popular POS operator known as “Yman” was kidnapped on Sunday night.

• Two Hausa men were abducted early Monday in nearby Kokodo village.

• Most recently, Alhaji Chemical, a prominent agro-chemical merchant, was taken from his home at around 1:00 a.m. Sunday

Provoked Protest Turns Destructive

The community’s outrage boiled over. Hundreds of youths took to the streets, blocked roads, and burned tires to draw attention to their plight—left with no trust in local leadership . During the protest, the NDLEA office was torched and the Emir’s palace was vandalized, with windows smashed in a symbolic act of anger at all tiers of authority.

Authorities Respond, Rescue Efforts Underway

Kwara State Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo, together with soldiers from the 22 Brigade in Ilorin, was on the ground in Lafiagi trying to regain control. He confirmed that the mob had also freed four suspects from the NDLEA detention facility 

Security forces, including police, soldiers, vigilantes, and local hunters, have since launched search operations in surrounding bush areas to locate the abducted victims 

Community Demands and Broader Concerns

Residents voiced a collective cry: “We have been crying and dying in silence … We don’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore,” lamented one protester Many criticized the inaction of the government, traditional leaders, and security agencies.

In his frustration, a young man shouted: “Our chairman and the governor are not willing to help us,” adding that local frustrations had reached a tipping point 

A Pattern Emerging in Kwara North

This incident marks another flashpoint in a series of security breaches in Kwara North. Banditry and kidnappings have surged in recent months, with locals questioning the effectiveness of the security architecture—and now taking matters into their own hands 

Calls for Urgent Intervention

• Residents are urging intensified patrolling by security operatives.

• They demand swift rescue of abductees and prosecution of the kidnappers.

• There's a growing call for the government to allocate and deploy security votes more transparently and effectively 

What to Watch Next

Bottom Line:
The torching of the NDLEA office and vandalism of the Emir’s palace in Lafiagi signal a critical breakdown of trust between northern Kwara’s communities and the authorities. Urgent government and security sector action are needed to restore calm and protect citizens.