Hundreds of youths from Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin, and Edidi communities in Kwara South staged a protest on Saturday, blocking the Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway to condemn the escalating incidents of kidnappings in their localities.
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, set bonfires on the highway from 8:00 a.m., demanding urgent government intervention to address insecurity. Some of the signs read: “Enough Is Enough,” “Stop Kidnapping Our People,” “We Demand Government’s Urgent Intervention,” “Our People Are Dying in the Hands of Kidnappers,” and “We Are Tired of Paying Ransom Without Results.”
The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion, bringing movement along the highway to a standstill for several hours.
Chief Michael Ayanda, Odee of Isanlu-Isin and spokesperson for the protesters, told NAN at Eleyin Village that the wave of kidnappings had disrupted farming, trading, and other commercial activities, causing widespread anxiety and hunger among residents.
The protesters criticized the unresponsiveness of security agencies and government officials, despite repeated appeals through letters and visits to police stations and government offices in Ilorin, the state capital.
Ayanda emphasized that the protest aimed to draw attention to the deteriorating security situation. He alleged that despite ransom payments totaling millions of naira, many kidnapped victims remained in captivity.
“Despite paying N30 million for two previously kidnapped individuals, they are yet to be released; the abductors are demanding more money. Today, we have paid an additional N10 million for seven kidnapped community members, yet only one person was freed. The purpose of this protest is to alert the authorities and the world, especially our government, to assist in freeing our people and ensuring the security of lives and property,” he said.
Addressing the protesters at Eleyin Village near Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area Chairman, Mr. Azeez Yakubu, called for calm and assured that he would present their grievances to the relevant authorities.
Mallam Ismaila Ahmed, Serikin Fulani of Eleyin Village in Isin LGA, confirmed that seven community members remained in captivity despite ransom payments. “Our people have become targets of kidnappers in recent times. No fewer than eleven of our people are yet to regain freedom, and we have paid N20 million so far,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered. Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaiye, urged the youths to exercise patience, assuring them that the state government is actively working to address insecurity.
According to PUNCH, the protest reflects rising concerns over worsening insecurity in Kwara State. In August, gunmen killed a father of five and terrorized communities across Ifelodun LGA, forcing residents to abandon farms and businesses.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with local hunters, recently arrested eight kidnapping suspects and rescued two victims during security operations in the state.
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