Kwara community cries out to Tinubu over incessant banditry attacks

By Ola Taiwo

The people of Lata Nna Community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State have cried out to President BolaTinubu for security protection against incessant banditry attacks on the community.

The people in a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter written to the president said the community has in the last one year been under frequent attacks by bandits who allegedly kill  residents and deprive people of their valuables

In the letter signed on behalf of the community by the Secretary of the Lata-Nna Youth Association, Tauheed Ahmed Desco, on behalf of the community, the community catalogued the alleged killing of it people by the bandits since 2025.

The community which said that about 65 local hunters were killed by the bandits in a confrontation last year mentioned that three residents have also been killed this year by the bandits.

The people claimed that the bandits both waylaid the community’s only access road to kill resident and also entering the village to kill and steal.

The community lamented that due to the incessant attacks by the bandits fear had forced many people to abandon farming, trading and other daily activities.

The people while recalling that in August 2025, about 65 local hunters were allegedly killed during a fierce confrontation with bandits in the surrounding forests blamed the heavy casualties on the hunters’ inferior weapons compared to the sophisticated firearms allegedly used by the criminals.

The community alleged that in April this year,a farmer identified as Alhassan Ndaba was killed while going to his farm.

It alleged that on June 13, four armed bandits riding motorcycles entered the community in broad daylight, moving freely while searching for petrol, recharge cards and other supplies, causing widespread panic.

The community said the situation deteriorated further on June 26 when armed men reportedly blocked the only road linking the community to neighbouring towns, hospitals and markets before killing two returning residents at the checkpoint.

The people said another attack occurred the following day when villagers gathering leaves outside the community were robbed of their money and mobile phones at gunpoint.

The residents also alleged that on July 10, bandits invaded the community in broad daylight, looted homes and shops, carted away food items, cash and mobile phones, and stole four motorcycles valued at about N1.6 million.

The community claimed that on July 15, a Point of Sale (POS) operator was robbed at gunpoint shortly after withdrawing cash from a bank for business transactions.

The people maintained that the repeated attacks had left the community traumatised and economically devastated, insisting that urgent federal intervention was needed to restore security and enable residents to return to their normal lives.

“Your Excellency, we can no longer go to our farms, we can no longer go to the market, and we can no longer sleep with our eyes closed. Our only road is a death trap. Our community is bleeding,,” the community stated.

The people urged the President to immediately deploy security personnel to their community, secure the community’s only access road and launch sustained military operations to flush out armed bandits operating around the area.

They also appealed for justice and support for families who lost loved ones during the attacks, particularly the family of Alhassan Ndaba and two other residents killed by gunmen on June 26, 2026.

“Mr. President, we voted for hope and security. Please do not let Lata Nna be wiped off the map. Please hear our cry and come to our rescue,” the people appealed.