Youths in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s office and the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi in protest at what they characterised as increased insecurity and unchecked kidnappings.
Tension erupted in the neighbourhood on Monday following the kidnapping of a major agrochemical trader, widely known as Alhaji Chemical, who was reportedly abducted from his home in the Taiwo district of town at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
According to an unsubstantiated allegation, the gunmen, believed to be robbers, arrived on motorbikes and overpowered local vigilantes with heavy gunfire before taking the businessman away.
According to community sources, the abduction appeared “targeted and well-coordinated” given the victim’s status and the premeditated nature of the crime.
“The situation is getting out of hand,” a protesting resident said in a viral video on Monday.
“We can’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. People are being taken almost weekly now,” the resident added.
Another local, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, cited the recent kidnapping of a young point-of-sale operator as another evidence of the growing insecurity.
Residents said the continued series of kidnappings has put many people in panic.
In response to the most recent occurrence, outraged youngsters held protests, blocking highways, burning tires, and calling on the government to respond decisively.
During the process, the NDLEA office in town and portions of the Emir’s residence were set on fire.
Adekimi Ojo, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, confirmed the incident, saying the demonstration was hijacked by miscreants who vandalised the Emir’s palace and set fire to the NDLEA building.
“The miscreants, who fled on sighting police and soldiers, also freed four suspects in custody at the NDLEA office in Lafiagi,” Ojo said.
He also revealed that he had visited the community on Monday along with the Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
“As I speak with you, police officers, soldiers, hunters, and local vigilantes are in the bush around Lafiagi searching for the kidnapped victims.
“We have addressed the community and assured them of intensified security efforts,” he added.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the agency’s office was mistakenly targeted by the protesters.
“Our local office is just by the palace. They mistook it for the palace. A part of the office and an operational vehicle were affected in the incident.
“Our men had to restrain themselves from escalating the incident,” Babafemi explained during a phone interview on Monday.
Several localities in the state, particularly Lafiagi and its surroundings, have seen an increase in abductions in recent weeks, with several victims still held captive.
Last Monday, the Kwara State Police Command reported the kidnapping of Hassana Abdullahi, a 12-year-old girl from Gaa Ayetoro in Lile village.
