Many residents gathered in groups, expressing anger over the lack of security and the seeming impunity of criminal elements in the area.
Residents of Yagba East Local Government Area in Kogi State took to the streets on Sunday to protest the rising wave of kidnappings and bandit attacks in the region.
The protest, which took place in front of the General Hospital in Isanlu, followed the brutal killing of an elderly, sick woman who had been abducted by bandits the previous day.
Eyewitnesses told the media that the demonstrators, frustrated by the persistent insecurity, blocked major roads in Ilafin-Isanlu, set tires ablaze, and chanted slogans demanding urgent government intervention.
Many residents gathered in groups, expressing anger over the lack of security and the seeming impunity of criminal elements in the area.
According to sources, the elderly woman, reportedly frail and unwell, was kidnapped during an attack in Ilafin-Isanlu on Saturday.
The bandits allegedly killed her after realising she could not keep up with them as they attempted to move her through the forest.
The act has left the community in shock and mourning.
Yagba East and West Local Government Areas have been experiencing a surge in kidnappings and armed robberies in recent months, with incidents occurring almost daily.
Communities bordering Kwara State have been particularly vulnerable, as bandits exploit the porous borders to carry out attacks and evade security forces.
Local leaders have called on the state and federal governments many times to deploy more security personnel to the area and provide adequate protection for residents.
It was previously reported that gunmen, suspected to be bandits on Friday evening opened fire on a bus belonging to the National Congress of Evangelisation, Operation Good News in Oyo State, causing panic in the area.
The media learnt that the incident occurred along the Eruku–Obbo Ile axis in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
According to a source who spoke to SaharaReporters, the attack occurred as the evangelism team was travelling to Shagbe, a village in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
“The bandits suddenly emerged from both sides of the road and began shooting indiscriminately at the bus,” the source said.
“One of the passengers was hit by a bullet, but the driver managed to speed away from the scene, narrowly escaping what could have been a more tragic attack.”
The injured passenger was reportedly rushed to a nearby cottage hospital for medical treatment.
Residents said the Eruku–Yagba axis has become a hotspot for frequent bandit attacks and kidnappings.
Meanwhile, both Eruku and Yagba border Kwara State and have witnessed a series of violent incidents in recent months.
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