Insecurity Crisis: Kwara South Group Protests, Urges Tinubu, AbdulRazaq To Act As Terrorists Overrun Communities

Ilorin,  Kwara State– A coalition under the aegis of the Kwara South Development Forum has staged a protest over what it described as the worsening wave of insecurity in Kwara State, calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take urgent and decisive action.

The group decried the alleged takeover of indigenous Yoruba communities in Kwara South by terrorists, accusing them of carrying out killings, abductions, and forcing residents to flee their ancestral homes.

Speaking during the protest, the Convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, lamented the systematic targeting and killing of local vigilante commanders, which he said had left communities exposed to attacks.

“Our local vigilantes commanders were identified by informants, and terrorists went after all of them and killed them. With all the commanders gone, the terrorists took over communities, killing and kidnapping people,” he said.

He further appealed to traditional rulers in Kwara South to unite and engage the President directly in order to find lasting solutions to the crisis.

“Our mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers have been killed and kidnapped, while our schools have been shut down in Kwara South. We are demonstrating today to express our concerns to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower local vigilantes and other security agencies to end the kidnapping and killings in Kwara South,” Ridwan added.

A female protester, Adebisi Jimoh, narrated the plight of residents of Babanla community, describing it as a ghost town following repeated attacks.

“Our community has become deserted, while our family members have been kidnapped and ransom has been paid,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Another protester, Sodiq Amidu, broke down in tears as he recounted how two of his friends were abducted by the attackers. He identified them as Abdullah Issa and Yusuf Ibrahim.

“Abdullah Issa paid N10 million before he was released, while Yusuf Ibrahim paid N5 million before he regained his freedom,” he said.

Also speaking, a prominent activist in Kwara South, Aleshinloye Saheed, accused the terrorists of deliberately weakening local resistance by eliminating vigilante leaders who had initially confronted them.

“Our brave vigilantes commanders have been killed, and our people have become vulnerable, while communities in Kwara South have been deserted,” he said.

“We are calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take concerted action over the incessant insecurity in Kwara South.”

Another protester identified simply as Ishola Kwara also expressed deep concern, calling on both the traditional rulers and the state government to urgently intervene before the situation deteriorates further.

The protesters collectively demanded immediate government intervention, improved security presence, and the empowerment of local security outfits to reclaim communities currently under the control of armed groups.