Youth from Lade community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State — the hometown of the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Lade — have taken to the streets to protest against the rising wave of banditry and insecurity that has gripped their region.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Our Voice Must Be Heard” and “End Banditry in Lade and Kwara North,” the aggrieved youths said they could no longer continue to live in fear in their own homes while their villages and farmlands remain under siege.
They stated that Lade and surrounding communities have been bleeding under relentless attacks from bandits, leaving families displaced, farmers abandoning their lands, and children losing hope.
“From Lade to every corner of Kwara North, families are being displaced, farmers are abandoning their lands, and children are losing hope. Enough is enough.”
The youths called on Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, security agencies, and all concerned leaders to take decisive action to restore peace to the region.
“The time to act is now,” they declared.
“Kwara North must not be forgotten. Our people must be protected,” they said.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the wave of bandit attacks ravaging parts of Kwara North took a fresh and tragic turn, as gunmen invaded Rani Ramat village in Patigi Local Government Area on Sunday evening, killing one person and abducting the village head.
According to NupekoTV-Lafiagi, the attack occurred around 6:20pm, coinciding with the Maghrib (sunset) prayer, when residents had gathered at the mosque.
Witnesses said the assailants stormed the community on motorcycles and began shooting indiscriminately, throwing the village into chaos.
During the assault, Alhaji Liman was reportedly shot dead on the spot, while the attackers abducted the village head, Alhaji Ndako, and fled with him to an unknown location.
A resident who spoke to local sources said the attackers stormed the village without warning and opened fire indiscriminately, throwing the entire community into chaos.
The latest incident underscores the growing insecurity in the Patigi Emirate, where rural communities have continued to suffer repeated raids and kidnappings.
Meanwhile, Kwara State has witnessed a series of deadly bandit attacks in recent weeks.
