Residents of Kwara South, under the umbrella of the Kwara South Development Forum, staged a protest on Friday over rising insecurity in the region.

The protesters said indigenous Yoruba communities are facing increasing attacks by armed groups, resulting in killings, kidnappings, and displacement of residents.

They alleged that several communities are gradually being overrun and called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently intervene.

Speaking during the protest, the convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, said many families have suffered severe losses.

“Our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers have been killed and kidnapped, while our schools have been shut down in Kwara South.

“We are demonstrating today to express our concerns to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower local vigilantes and other security agencies to end the kidnapping and killings in Kwara South,” he said.

The group also appealed to traditional rulers in the region to unite and press for federal intervention, warning that more communities could be lost if urgent action is not taken.

One protester, Adebisi Jimoh, said attacks had forced many residents of Babanla and nearby settlements to flee.

“Our community has become deserted. Our family members have been kidnapped, and we had to raise ransom to secure their release. Many of us have been chased out of our homes,” he said.

Another resident, Sodiq Amidu, said two victims, identified as Abdullah Issa and Yusuf Ibrahim, regained freedom only after ransoms of ₦10 million and ₦5 million were paid, respectively.

“They were lucky to come back alive. Many others are not that fortunate,” he said.

A protester, Aleshinloye Saheed, alleged that local vigilante leaders are being specifically targeted.

“Our brave vigilante commanders have been killed, and our people have become vulnerable. Communities in Kwara South have been deserted as a result.

“We are calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take decisive and coordinated action over the incessant insecurity in Kwara South,” he said.

Residents said the worst-hit areas include Ifelodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, and Irepodun local government areas, where they claim abductions, violent attacks, and displacement now occur frequently.

They also alleged that schools have shut down, farmlands have been abandoned, and economic activities have collapsed in several communities.

The protesters urged the government to deploy more security personnel, intensify intelligence-led operations, and strengthen local vigilante networks to prevent a deeper humanitarian crisis in Kwara South.