Villagers from Kwara State’s Ifelodun area gathered Monday at the Ilorin Government House to protest surging kidnappings and bandit attacks that took their relatives, including seven feared abducted on December 27.
Witnesses described hired thugs flogging the mostly female protesters, with videos showing them scattering in panic while nearby police did not intervene.
Activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the ‘despicable’ violence, calling out Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as no official statements have emerged amid ongoing insecurity in the region.
Omoyele Sowore: “This video of hired thugs attacking women and children protesting peacefully in front of the Kwara State Government House over mass kidnapping and insecurity in their area of the state is one of the most despicable scenes I have ever witnessed at a seat of government.
“It is especially disturbing that uniformed @PoliceNG officers stood by and watched as helpless women protesters were beaten, harassed, and humiliated in broad daylight.
“I unequivocally condemn Governor @realAARahman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s intolerance and high-handedness in sanctioning or at the very least permitting such barbaric acts against citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest.
“This descent into violence against women and children is unacceptable in any democracy.
“The Nigeria Police Force must immediately identify and sanction the officers who abdicated their duty to protect lives and property. The thugs who carried out this assault must be arrested, prosecuted without delay, and brought to justice. Anything short of this will confirm official complicity.”