Lafiagi town in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State descended into chaos on Monday, June 30, 2025, as hundreds of angry youths stormed the streets in a violent protest against rising insecurity and what they described as government abandonment. The protesters set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office and vandalized parts of the Emir of Lafiagi’s palace in a dramatic display of frustration.
Chanting protest songs and wielding placards, the irate youths accused both state and traditional authorities of failing to address the surge in kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks that have plagued their communities for months. Video clips circulating on social media show protesters smashing windows and pulling down parts of the palace fence while others torched government buildings.
Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated after the recent abduction of three Fulani women in the area on Sunday, June 29, further deepening public anger. Families of several kidnap victims reportedly paid heavy ransoms in recent weeks, yet the attacks and abductions continue unchecked. “We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore,” one resident shouted during the protest.
Protesters accused local leaders, including the Emir and the Edu council chairman, of turning a blind eye to their suffering. “People are being kidnapped every week, and nothing is being done. No security presence, no action from the governor or even from Abuja,” another protester lamented.
Security sources confirmed that the NDLEA office in Lafiagi was completely gutted, with operational files and property destroyed. Emergency response teams and security operatives have since been deployed to restore calm, but tensions remain high as residents demand concrete government action—not just empty promises.
As of press time, no official statement had been released by the Kwara State Government, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, or the Emir of Lafiagi. However, police sources hinted that investigations into the vandalism and arson have begun, with arrests likely in the coming days.
With anger boiling over and fear of further unrest spreading to nearby communities, local activists and human rights groups are calling for an immediate security summit to address the growing breakdown of law and order in Kwara North.
