Fear and tension have intensified across Kwara State, particularly in the Lafiagi Emirate of Edu Local Government Area, following a spate of bandit attacks and kidnappings. Bishewa village, near Zambufu, was recently invaded by approximately ten assailants on motorcycles who fired indiscriminately and abducted a woman during a late-night assault. The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the community had paid a ₦5 million ransom to secure the release of another victim, highlighting a disturbing pattern of escalating insecurity. The son of the abducted woman, who was the primary target, narrowly escaped as he was on a community patrol when the bandits struck.

This surge in violence is not isolated. SaharaReporters previously documented the kidnapping of two farmers in the Bokungi Zambufu community and has reported on attacks in Oke-Ode (Ifelodun LGA), Essanti (Patigi LGA), and Marri Village, where dozens were killed, vigilantes executed, and families displaced. In Essanti, two sons of a youth leader were abducted in broad daylight, with kidnappers brazenly stating their intention to reduce night invasions. Residents from Oke-Ode to Patigi continue to flee their homes en masse, decrying the crippling economic and social impact, coupled with the mental and psychological trauma inflicted by these criminal activities.

In response to the escalating crisis, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq met with nominated stakeholders from Edu and Patigi local government areas. The stakeholders expressed profound concern over the governor's perceived absence from the affected areas and urged the government to deploy more troops and the newly trained National Forest Guards to combat the bandits. They also highlighted critical infrastructure deficiencies, including the poor condition of the Tsaragi-Patigi road and a persistent blackout affecting Lafiagi and Patigi, impacting waterworks and daily life.

Governor Abdulrazaq, in his address, assured the stakeholders that he had engaged the Presidency and military authorities, with