Members of the Take-It-Back Movement on Friday took to the streets of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, demanding urgent government action to secure the release of residents abducted in different parts of the state.
The group also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to authorities to ensure the victims regain their freedom.
The peaceful demonstration began at Tanke Junction at about 7:00 a.m., with protesters marching through major roads across the metropolis before concluding at the Government House on Ahmadu Bello Way.
The protest followed growing concerns over the increasing spate of kidnappings and violent attacks in several parts of the state. Communities in Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun and parts of Kwara South have repeatedly expressed fears over worsening insecurity and the safety of residents.
Speaking at the Government House, the Kwara State Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Saidu Tsaragi, said many residents could not meaningfully celebrate Democracy Day while their relatives remained in captivity.
Tsaragi alleged that there were attempts to frustrate the protest but insisted that members of the movement remained committed to their demands.
“We have been outside since 7:00 am to occupy the Government House. There was a little setback (resistance). However, we are not backing down.
“Our protest is peaceful, and our mission is simple; rescue our people. Our mothers, fathers and children are in kidnappers’ dens. Seven people from Yaashikira are currently with kidnappers, while several others from Edu, Patigi and communities in Kwara South are still in captivity,” he said.
He expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating security situation across several local government areas in the state.
“Our local government areas are under siege. We are simply asking Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to rescue the victims or resign. Our demand is clear and straightforward,” he added.
One of the protesters, who spoke emotionally during the demonstration, accused the government of neglecting the plight of families whose loved ones had been abducted.
He said, “It is painful that people are celebrating democracy while many of us are grieving because our loved ones are being held captive in forests. They cannot freely eat, communicate with their families or live normal lives.
“The government should be focusing on rescuing these victims, but instead we feel abandoned. We are only reminding the authorities to do what is expected of them.”
The protester further criticised what he termed the government’s failure to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“The government has failed in its duty to safeguard citizens. If this were a political rally, security personnel would be deployed in large numbers, but when ordinary people demand protection, they are ignored,” he said.
Warning that insecurity could affect anyone regardless of status or political affiliation, he called on residents to unite in demanding action from the authorities.
He added, “If we fail to speak up now, what has happened to others may eventually happen to us. We must unite, regardless of political affiliations, and demand our rights as citizens.”
The demonstrator also disclosed that the movement would intensify its actions if the abducted victims were not rescued within the period specified in its ultimatum.
“If the government fails to rescue the victims within 72 hours, we will mobilise across Kwara State. We are also calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the state.
“If that cannot happen, then Governor AbdulRazaq should consider stepping aside for someone capable of effectively addressing the security challenges confronting the state,” he stated.
Another participant at the protest compared the security crisis to a public health emergency, stressing the need for swift and coordinated intervention by relevant authorities.
“If we continue to handle insecurity the way it is currently being handled, we will suffer even more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments took decisive steps to protect lives. The same seriousness should be applied to the insecurity crisis,” he said.
“Insecurity is a pandemic that is spreading through communities and destroying lives. It requires urgent and coordinated action,” he added.
The protesters maintained that their action was not politically motivated, insisting that it was driven solely by concern over the rising incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks across communities in the state.
They also vowed to return to the Government House on Monday should the authorities fail to meet their demands, warning that inaction within the 72-hour window would lead to a broader mobilisation across Kwara State.
