‍Residents of Kwara South, under the banner of the Kwara South Development Forum, on Friday staged a protest over what they described as escalating insecurity and repeated attacks on communities across the region.

The protesters raised concerns over killings, kidnappings and mass displacement allegedly carried out by armed groups, which they said are gradually taking control of several rural communities.

They accused the attackers of weakening local security structures, particularly vigilante groups, and called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take urgent action.

Speaking during the protest, the convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, said residents had been subjected to repeated violence.

“Our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers have been killed and kidnapped, while our schools have been shut down in Kwara South,” he said, urging authorities to empower local vigilantes and security agencies to restore peace.

Protesters also called on traditional rulers in the region to strengthen collaboration in pushing for federal intervention, warning that continued inaction could lead to further loss of communities to armed groups.

A resident, Adebisi Jimoh, said several communities had been deserted due to repeated attacks, while families were forced to pay ransom for kidnapped relatives.

“Our community has become deserted. Many of us have been chased out of our homes,” he said.

Another protester, Sodiq Amidu, claimed that some victims were released only after ransom payments running into millions of naira.

In his remarks, Aleshinloye Saheed alleged that vigilante leaders had been targeted, worsening insecurity in the area.

“Our communities have become vulnerable as a result of these attacks,” he said.

Residents from different parts of Kwara South, including Ifelodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero and Irepodun LGAs, said schools have been shut, farms abandoned and economic activities disrupted due to fear of attacks.

They also raised concerns over the alleged presence of armed groups in forested areas, which they say has contributed to the worsening situation.

The protesters urged the federal and state governments to deploy more security personnel, strengthen intelligence operations, and support local security networks to prevent further deterioration of the crisis.