Tension rose in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Monday as angry youths protested the recent rise in kidnappings. The protest turned violent, resulting in parts of the Emir of Lafiagi’s palace and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office being set on fire.
The unrest followed the abduction of a well known agro chemical dealer, popularly known as Alhaji Chemical, who was kidnapped from his home in the Taiwo area of Lafiagi around 1 a.m. on Sunday. Witnesses said gunmen suspected to be bandits arrived on motorcycles and overpowered local vigilantes before seizing the businessman.
Residents described the attack as well coordinated and believe it was targeted due to the victim’s prominence. They also raised concerns about the increasing frequency of abductions in the area, citing the recent kidnapping of a point of sale operator.
During Monday’s protest, youths blocked roads, burned tyres and demanded stronger government action. In a viral video from the protest, a resident said, “The situation is getting out of hand. We can’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore.”
Confirming the incident, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said some miscreants took advantage of the protest to destroy parts of the Emir’s palace and set fire to the NDLEA office. They also reportedly freed four suspects in NDLEA custody before fleeing upon the arrival of security forces.
The Commissioner added that police officers, soldiers, local hunters and vigilantes are currently in the bush conducting a search operation to rescue the kidnapped victims.
This comes shortly after the abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Lile village and the killing of three people in Mari village, both in Patigi Local Government Area.