Residents of Lafiagi in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State set fire to the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday. The protests erupted following the arrest of some demonstrators by NDLEA officials.

The protesters, primarily youths, expressed their frustration over the escalating insecurity in their communities, citing ongoing incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, and violence. They called for urgent government intervention.

During the unrest, three vehicles belonging to NDLEA officials were also burned. A viral video captured the protesters chanting solidarity songs and holding placards demanding action against the ongoing violence.

The NDLEA office was completely torched, and the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu, was vandalized, with windows smashed and parts of the structure damaged.

A local resident, Yunusa Ahmed, explained that the situation escalated after NDLEA operatives arrested some protesters, accusing them of drug use. This led to a confrontation when others sought their release, resulting in the destruction of the NDLEA office.

Another resident added, “We have been crying and dying in silence. People are being kidnapped every week. We no longer sleep with both eyes closed, and nobody seems to care about our plight.”

The Kwara State Police Command’s spokeswoman, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the incidents in a statement.