Lafiagi residents protest worsening insecurity, burn NDLEA office, vandalise Emir’s palace

Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets on Monday, June 30, protesting against rising insecurity in their communities, including repeated incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, and killings.

The protest, led mainly by youths, reflected growing frustration over what they described as the government’s failure to act decisively in the face of relentless violence.

In a video shared online, the protesters were seen chanting solidarity songs and waving placards, demanding urgent intervention to end the bloodshed and abductions that have disrupted their daily lives.

The demonstration turned violent as protesters set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Lafiagi. They also vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, smashing windows and damaging parts of the building.

“We have been crying and dying in silence,” one resident said in the video. “People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore, and nobody—neither the governor, the chairman, nor even the Emir—is doing anything about it.”

Sources in the community told Daily Post that the protest was sparked by long-standing anger over persistent attacks and the absence of effective responses from both local and state authorities.

“The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government,” one source explained. “The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”

The situation escalated as demonstrators marched toward key government facilities, targeting buildings associated with law enforcement and traditional leadership. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the NDLEA office was completely razed during the unrest.

Lafiagi and its surrounding communities have witnessed a series of abductions in recent weeks, with multiple residents still in captivity. Families of the victims are reportedly paying substantial ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.

Just a day before the protest, on Sunday, June 29, three Fulani women were reportedly abducted in the area, further fueling the outrage that led to Monday’s events.