Members of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement and aggrieved youths from Kwara North on Thursday marched to the Kwara State Government House in Ilorin, protesting over unending killings, kidnappings and government inaction in Edu, Patigi Local Government Area and other parts of the northern axis of the state.
The protesters, who converged in large numbers, carried placards bearing bold inscriptions condemning the rising wave of violence in communities such as Woro and Gbugbu.
Chanting solidarity songs, they declared that residents of Edu LGA are living under siege as bandit attacks, abductions and killings continue unabated.
“Our region is under attack. Kwara North needs protection, not abandonment,” one of the placards read.
Another read, “If Ilorin can host corps members, it can also host IDPs. Stop shifting the burden to insecure communities.”
The demonstrators insisted that the protest was not politically motivated but a desperate cry for survival as insecurity deepens across Kwara North.
“Protest is not chaos, it is a call for attention to the suffering in Kwara North,” the group stated.
They accused the government of failing to deploy adequate security architecture to protect vulnerable rural communities, alleging that night after night, gunshots echo across villages while families sleep in fear.
“The people of Kwara North in Kwara State are living in fear. Night after night, gunshots, kidnappings, and killings have become the new normal. How long will communities in Kwara North continue to suffer in silence?” one youth leader asked during the march.
The protesters specifically referenced what they described as the Woro massacre and repeated attacks on Gbugbu community, saying the incidents must not be swept under the carpet.
“Woro and Gbugbu in Kwara North victims deserve justice. Their lives must not be forgotten,” another placard read.
“Bandit attacks, kidnappings, killings; how long will Kwara North continue to suffer in silence?” they asked.
According to the protesters, residents of Edu LGA are under constant threat, with many displaced and others too afraid to farm or carry out their daily activities.
“Residents of Edu Local Government Area are under siege. From Gbugbu to Woro, kidnappings and killings continue while families sleep in fear. Security must be strengthened immediately before more lives are lost,” the group declared.
They also warned against relocating internally displaced persons into what they described as already unsafe communities.
“The government must prioritise protecting lives in Kwara North before relocating displaced persons into insecure zones,” one placard read.
Another stated, “Kwara North youths are demanding accountability and real security solutions.”
The protesters emphasised unity among the youths of the region.
“Youths of Kwara North are speaking with one voice: Security for our people is non-negotiable,” they declared.
“Enough is enough! Rising killings in Kwara North must stop. Our people deserve safety and justice,” another inscription read.
The protesters demanded immediate reinforcement of security personnel, improved surveillance across rural communities, and decisive action against armed groups terrorizing the area.
They maintained that their demonstration was peaceful and aimed solely at drawing urgent government attention to what they described as a humanitarian and security crisis unfolding in Kwara North.