By Deborah Nnamdi
Angry youths in Lafiagi, the headquarters of Edu Local Government Area in Kwara State, on Monday set fire to the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi and the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in protest against the persistent wave of kidnappings in the area.
The unrest followed the abduction of a prominent agrochemical dealer known as Alhaji Chemical, who was reportedly kidnapped from his residence in the Taiwo area around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. Gunmen suspected to be bandits, riding on motorcycles, allegedly overpowered local vigilantes with heavy gunfire before whisking the businessman away—a move locals believe was a targeted and well-coordinated operation.
The incident has heightened fears across the Lafiagi community, where residents say kidnappings have become increasingly frequent and brazen.
Protests erupted Monday morning as outraged youths blocked roads, burned tyres, and demanded swift government intervention. The situation escalated when demonstrators stormed the Emir’s palace and the NDLEA office in the town, setting both buildings ablaze. Protesters also reportedly freed four detainees from the NDLEA facility.
A viral video from the protest shows residents decrying the insecurity. One speaker said, “The situation is getting out of hand. We can’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. People are being taken almost weekly now.” Others cited the recent abduction of a young Point of Sale (POS) operator as another sign of deteriorating safety in the town.
Confirming the incident, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, said he visited Lafiagi on Monday along with the Brigade Commander of the 22 Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin. He described the protest as the work of “some miscreants” who smashed windows at the Emir’s palace and set the NDLEA office on fire.
“Upon sighting the police and soldiers, the hoodlums fled,” he said. “They also released four suspects held in custody at the NDLEA office.”
As of Monday evening, joint teams of police officers, soldiers, hunters, and local vigilantes were combing the surrounding forests in search of kidnapped victims.
Residents continue to urge security agencies to strengthen patrols and take urgent action to combat the escalating threat of abductions in the region.
