KWARA YOUTHS, TAKE-IT-BACK MOVEMENT PLAN PROTEST OVER RISING KIDNAPPINGS, KILLINGS, BANDITRY

Youths from Tsaragi community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State have announced plans to stage a peaceful protest over worsening insecurity, including kidnappings, killings and banditry affecting the community and neighbouring areas.

The protest is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Lafiagi, according to a notification letter addressed to the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force in Lafiagi.

The letter, dated September 12 and signed by Comr. Saidu Musa Tsaragi, Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement in Kwara State, said the demonstration was intended to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to persistent security challenges confronting residents.

The organisers said the protest would focus particularly on the growing fear and hardship caused by kidnapping, killings and banditry in Tsaragi and surrounding communities.

“We, the concerned youths of Tsaragi, wish to formally notify the Nigeria Police Force, Lafiagi Area Command, of a peaceful protest scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, in Lafiagi Community,” the letter stated.

According to the organisers, the worsening insecurity has affected the safety and livelihoods of residents, creating an atmosphere of fear across communities in the area.

The youths also requested police protection for the demonstration, assuring authorities that the protest would be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

“We hereby request the presence and support of the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security cover and maintain peace and order throughout the protest,” the organisers said.

The planned demonstration comes amid reports of growing security concerns in rural communities across Kwara State, particularly in areas where residents have raised concerns over alleged attacks, abductions and ransom demands.

Residents of Woru and neighbouring communities in Ilorin East Local Government Area had previously alleged that armed groups had intensified attacks on farmers, motorists and other residents.

Some residents also alleged that security personnel had failed to respond adequately to certain attacks and, in some cases, had allegedly directed families to locations where ransom payments were demanded.

Those allegations have not been independently verified.

One resident previously alleged that security operatives sometimes failed to intervene when attacks or abductions occurred, claiming that calls for assistance did not always result in an immediate response.

Another resident alleged that families negotiating the release of kidnapped relatives were sometimes directed to locations identified by the abductors for the delivery of ransom payments.

The allegations against security personnel have not been independently established, and the relevant security authorities had not publicly responded to the claims at the time of the earlier report.

The security situation has also reportedly been accompanied by ransom demands and prolonged captivity of some victims. Residents previously alleged that terrorists demanded ₦5 million, a Bajaj motorcycle, two smartphones and 20 bottles of alcohol from the family of the Magaji, or traditional chief, of Woru community in exchange for the release of his kidnapped son.

According to the residents, the victim was allegedly not released despite the family complying with the demands, after which the abductors reportedly contacted the family again and demanded an additional ₦5 million.

Residents further claimed that at least six other people had been abducted from Woru and surrounding communities between August and September.

The planned September 16 protest therefore represents a renewed attempt by residents and youth groups to draw attention to the impact of insecurity on communities in the area.

Beyond the immediate threat to lives, residents say insecurity has affected farming, transportation and other economic activities, with fears of abduction making movement between rural communities increasingly difficult.

The protesters are expected to use the demonstration to call for stronger security measures, increased security presence and more effective responses to attacks and abductions in Tsaragi and other affected communities.

The organisers have stressed that the protest will be peaceful and responsible, while respecting law and order. They have also formally notified the police and requested adequate security arrangements to protect participants and maintain public order.

The demonstration is expected to increase pressure on the Kwara State Government and security agencies to address the concerns of residents and strengthen measures to protect vulnerable communities from kidnapping, killings and banditry.