Residents of Kwara South on Friday staged a protest over rising insecurity in the region, calling on government authorities to urgently address what they described as worsening cases of killings, kidnappings and forced displacement across several communities.
The demonstration, organised under the Kwara South Development Forum, brought together residents who expressed concern over repeated attacks by armed groups, which they said have overwhelmed local communities and weakened existing security arrangements, including vigilante structures.
Residents raise alarm over attacks
Speaking during the protest, the forum’s convener, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, said the situation had reached a critical level, forcing residents to take to the streets to draw attention to their plight.
He lamented that many families had lost loved ones to killings and kidnappings, while several schools in the area have been shut down due to insecurity.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently strengthen security operations and support local vigilante groups to restore peace in the affected areas.
Communities reportedly deserted
Some residents who participated in the protest shared accounts of repeated attacks, saying many communities have been abandoned as a result of fear.
Adebisi Jimoh, a resident, said several families in Babanla and surrounding areas had fled their homes following persistent assaults by armed groups.
Another protester, Sodiq Amidu, alleged that some victims were released only after ransom payments were made, while others were not as fortunate.
Impact on livelihoods and education
Residents also said the security crisis has severely disrupted economic activities, leading to the closure of schools and abandonment of farmlands across affected communities.
Areas including Ifelodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, and Irepodun local government areas were mentioned as some of the worst-hit by recent attacks and abductions.
Call for urgent intervention
The protesters urged traditional rulers and government authorities to work together in addressing the insecurity, warning that failure to act could worsen the humanitarian situation in the region.
They also called for increased deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence operations, and stronger support for local security networks to restore stability and protect residents.
