By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
In response to a violent protest that shook Lafiagi town in Edu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, led a high-level delegation of security and government officials to the area to assess the damage, initiate dialogue, and restore calm.
The delegation included senior representatives from the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Kwara State Government. Their visit followed a coordinated attack by a mob of angry youths who stormed the town, setting fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office, vandalising multiple official vehicles, and forcibly freeing four individuals held in NDLEA custody.
The violence escalated further as sections of the Emir’s Palace were damaged, major roads were blocked with bonfires, and normal life was brought to a halt. The protesters, reportedly enraged by recent arrests in the area, took to the streets without seeking formal channels for redress or engaging in prior discussions with authorities.
During the peace mission, CP Ojo met with traditional rulers and community members, where he denounced the destruction and described the events in Lafiagi as a disturbing escalation of lawlessness.
“While we recognise the concerns surrounding recent security operations, today’s unrest and the assault on the NDLEA facility reflect a dangerous trend that must be tackled immediately,” CP Ojo said.
He made it clear that no grievance, however legitimate, could warrant attacks on security establishments or the destruction of public property.
