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Kwara Community Becomes Ghost Town as Residents Flee Bandit Siege; N100M Ransom Demanded for Hostages
Ndanaku, a once-vibrant community in Kwara State’s Patigi Local Government Area, now stands completely deserted after its entire population fled in the wake of relentless bandit attacks and kidnappings. The assailants, who have reportedly taken over the area, are demanding a N100 million ransom for the release of three abducted villagers.
The mass exodus has transformed the community into a ghost town, with an online video showing abandoned homes, shops, and empty streets. In a heartfelt letter to Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, residents described their home as having become a “den and host of bandits of Fulani extraction for over two weeks.” They explained that with no people left to kidnap, the attackers have turned to looting properties, killing livestock, and destroying farmlands.
The letter, signed by Gideon Zhiri, Chairman of the community’s Elites Association, highlighted the desperation of the displaced residents and their urgent plea for government intervention. It noted that previous appeals for military deployment to the local government chairman had been unsuccessful, despite soldiers reportedly being stationed nearby and willing to respond if directed.
This incident underscores a worsening security crisis across Kwara North. It follows a recent report of a kidnapped resident, Abdullahi Tsowa, being killed in the neighbouring Lafiagi Emirate, which has amplified fear throughout the region. Other nearby villages, including Lataworo and Gbugbu, have also suffered similar attacks, increasing pressure on state and federal authorities to address the growing threat.
SaharaReporters source
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