Kwara youths protest incessant kidnappings, block Ilorin–Kabba highway

Hundreds of youths from Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin and Edidi communities in Kwara South on Saturday barricaded the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Kabba highway in protest against rising cases of kidnappings in their area.

The demonstrators, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “Stop Kidnapping Our People” and “We Demand Government’s Urgent Intervention,” set up bonfires on the road from as early as 8:00 a.m., disrupting traffic for hours.

Spokesman for the protesters and Odee of Isanlu-Isin, Chief Michael Ayanda, said insecurity had made it impossible for residents to go to their farms or engage in commercial activities, thereby causing hunger and fear in the communities.

He lamented that despite ransom payments running into millions of naira, several abducted victims remain in captivity. According to him, the whereabouts of seven vigilante members who went into the forests to rescue victims are still unknown.

“We have paid N30 million for two kidnapped persons who are yet to be released. The abductors demanded more money. Just today, we paid another N10 million for seven victims but only one was freed,” Ayanda said.

Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Mr. Azeez Yakubu, who met the protesters at Eleyin Village near Omu-Aran, appealed for calm and promised to convey their grievances to the authorities.

Also speaking, the Serikin Fulani of Eleyin Village, Mallam Ismaila Ahmed, confirmed that at least eleven residents remain in captivity despite ransom payments of about N20 million.

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, were unsuccessful. However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaiye, urged the youths to exercise patience, assuring them that the government was working with security agencies to address the situation.

The protest comes amid growing insecurity across Kwara. In August, gunmen killed a father of five in Ifelodun Local Government, forcing many residents to flee their farms and businesses. Recently, troops of the Nigerian Army, working with local hunters, arrested eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during operations in the state.