The Nupe Descendants Union (NDU) in Kwara State has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect their communities from persistent attacks by bandits and kidnappers.
The union’s president, Alhaji Muhammad Shaaba, made the call on Thursday during a news conference in Ilorin, decrying the incessant attacks and killings of residents in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas.
Shaaba lamented the increasing assaults on farmers, noting that the criminals—often operating on motorcycles—take advantage of bad roads to launch successful raids.
“As we speak, our people live a life of uncertainty; they cannot sleep with their eyes closed,” he said.
“These attacks are one too many. The shocks are traumatic, valuable lives and properties are being lost.
“The farmlands are no longer accessible, and commercial activities in many parts of our communities have been paralysed. We cannot imagine how much Edu and Patigi have lost in terms of revenue.”
While commiserating with families who have lost loved ones, Shaaba commended Governor AbdulRazaq for proactive measures taken to address insecurity in Kwara North, but stressed that urgent, sustained action was still required.
He urged the governor to provide logistics and operational support to the Army, Police, local hunters, and vigilantes, recommending the continuous presence of security operatives and increased surveillance to deter the attackers.
Shaaba also called on the government to support victims of the attacks through targeted relief and rehabilitation initiatives, warning that the violence has crippled socio-economic activities, particularly agriculture and trade, leading to food insecurity and economic hardship.
“There is widespread psychological trauma and fear within the communities. Some essential institutions, including healthcare centres, have been forced to close,” he added.
The union reiterated its commitment to working with the government and security agencies to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents in Kwara’s Nupe-speaking areas.