Fear, anger, and frustration boiled over in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Monday as enraged youths set ablaze the Emir’s palace and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office, protesting what they described as the government’s failure to protect them from a surge in kidnapping.
The latest spark came after the abduction of a prominent agro-chemical dealer, popularly known in the community as Alhaji Chemical, who was snatched from his home in the Taiwo area around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. Eyewitnesses say the kidnappers, believed to be armed bandits, arrived on motorcycles and overwhelmed local vigilantes with gunfire before disappearing into the night with their target.
By Monday, the town was boiling.
Videos circulating on social media showed aggrieved youths blocking roads, burning used tyres, and chanting in protest. “The situation is getting out of hand,” one young man cried out in a clip that has since gone viral. “We can’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. People are being taken almost every week now.”
The tension quickly escalated. The Emir’s palace — a long-standing symbol of traditional authority in Lafiagi — became a flashpoint. Windows were smashed, and sections of the palace were reportedly set on fire. Not far from there, the NDLEA office met a worse fate. Protesters stormed the building, set it ablaze, and freed four suspects who were in custody at the time.
This wasn’t a protest led by political groups or activists — it was raw community anger.
Locals said it wasn’t just about Alhaji Chemical. A young Point of Sale (POS) operator had recently been kidnapped as well. “Nobody feels safe anymore — not the rich, not the poor,” said a trader who watched the unrest from a distance. “How many more people must be taken before someone acts?”
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the attack during a call with Vanguard. He disclosed that he was already on the ground in Lafiagi, alongside the Brigade Commander of the 22 Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, trying to calm the situation. According to him, the protests were hijacked by “miscreants,” but acknowledged the deep fears of the residents.
“As I’m speaking with you now,” he said, “the Police, Soldiers, hunters, and local vigilantes are in the bush searching for those kidnapped.”
The trauma in Lafiagi is real. A community once known for peace is now on edge, with residents fearing that no one is safe — not even in their own homes. And while authorities say they’re responding, locals want more than reassurances. They want results.
Until then, the people of Lafiagi say they’ll continue to speak out — even if their cries come in flames.
