Kwara protesters block Ilorin-Kabba highway over banditry

Youths and community leaders in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday blocked the Ilorin–Omu-Aran–Kabba Highway to protest “rising banditry and kidnappings” in their communities.

The demonstrators, who mounted barricades as early as 8 am, paralysed traffic on the busy highway, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “Stop Kidnapping Our People,” “We Demand Government Urgent Intervention,” and “We Are Tired of Paying Ransom Without Results.”

The protesters, drawn from Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin and Edidi communities, were led by some traditional chiefs.

They lamented that incessant abductions had crippled farming and business activities, plunging residents into fear and hunger.

The Odee of Isanlu-Isin, Chief Michael Ayanda, said kidnappers now operate unhindered in the area despite millions of naira in ransom already paid.

We have paid N30m for two people earlier kidnapped, yet they have not been released. Now the kidnappers are asking for more money,” Ayanda said.

He also disclosed that seven vigilantes who went in search of abducted victims had remained missing, adding that one body was later recovered while 30 motorcycles belonging to the vigilantes were burnt.

The Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Oba Ademola Julus, who spoke to the protesting youths via telephone, appealed for calm, explaining that he was already in Abuja to discuss the security crisis with the National Security Adviser.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, commended the bravery of the vigilantes who confronted the bandits.