The people of Isanlu Isin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State have raised the alarm over incessant attacks by armed bandits, pleading with both state and federal authorities to urgently intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.
The Vice-President of the Isanlu Isin Development Association, Dr Jacob Ayanda, made the appeal in a statement on Saturday, lamenting that the community had been under siege for nearly two months with little sign of relief.
According to him, the latest attack occurred last Tuesday when gunmen stormed Eleyin, a neighbouring settlement, leaving two persons dead, six others missing, and more than 27 motorcycles belonging to local vigilantes burnt.
The incident triggered a protest on Saturday as angry youths barricaded the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Kabba highway to draw attention to what they described as government’s neglect of their plight.
“Just four days ago, intelligence reached us that bandits were planning to invade our town,” Ayanda said. “Though our vigilantes, with support from neighbouring communities, mobilised to defend the land, they sadly walked into an ambush. Two of our men were killed, six are still missing, and over 27 motorcycles were destroyed.”
He explained that the decision to block the highway was born out of desperation, not lawlessness. “We only want the world to know that our people have been abandoned. We are calling on the Federal Government, the Police, the Army, and all security agencies to come to our rescue, recover our missing men, and clear the forests now infested by bandits.”
Reacting, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq commended the vigilantes for what he described as their “spirited resistance” against the attackers.
In a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor condoled with the family of a slain vigilante, Saheed Adeshina, announcing a N10m financial support package for them. He also pledged to replace the destroyed motorcycles and step up logistics backing for security operatives and vigilantes across the state.
Abdulrazaq, however, urged residents to shun violent protests, warning that while resistance to criminality was commendable, it must not degenerate into actions that could undermine public safety.
“The right to live free of fear and intimidation is non-negotiable,” the governor said, assuring that his administration would not relent in backing community-based security initiatives.
