The residents insisted that the trucks would no longer be allowed passage through their communities until urgent action is taken….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Residents of Igbaja community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Wednesday blocked Dangote trucks from entering their community, accusing some of the company’s drivers of complicity in the worsening insecurity ravaging Kwara South.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, one of the protesters alleged that some Dangote truck drivers were helping bandits by delivering ammunition and depositing ransom payments on their behalf.
The residents insisted that the trucks would no longer be allowed passage through their communities until urgent action is taken.
documented how bandits have terrorised parts of Kwara South and North, abducting residents, collecting ransoms, and in some cases, killing victims.
Protesters said the attacks have left their towns and villages deserted, with locals too fearful to remain in their homes.
Over the past week, communities such as Babanla and Oreke, Segbe, Alabe, among others in Kwara South, have reportedly been deserted following repeated attacks by armed groups.
The residents claimed the bandits have deliberately spared Dangote drivers from kidnappings, choosing instead to prey on poor farmers and villagers.
Community leaders, backed by Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Hon. Femi Yusuf, resolved to block Dangote trucks from entering the area.
Residents appealed to the federal and state governments for urgent intervention, warning that their communities risk total collapse if the insecurity persists.
One of the protesters said, “Bandits are terrorising us and giving us sleepless nights. No one can sleep, and no one feels safe staying in their houses anymore. The situation has escalated to the point where youths across Kwara South are calling and mobilising one another.
“For the past three days, Babanla and neighbouring communities have been completely deserted. The few brave youths who have remained behind continue to give us updates.
“They report that Dangote trucks still pass through some of these communities daily, especially in Oreke, where not a single resident is left, yet the trucks continue to move through the area.”
“The bandits are not kidnapping Dangote truck drivers for ransom payments from the company. Instead, they are targeting our people—poor farmers who live from hand to mouth,” a protester said.
While expressing concern about the safety of the Kwara Southerners, one of the protesters said, “We have discovered that some Dangote truck drivers are the ones collecting ransoms from victims of banditry and depositing the money into the kidnappers’ accounts.
“These same truck drivers are also allegedly buying and supplying ammunition for the kidnappers.
“Today, in Igbaja community, the ‘Home of the Highlands,’ we resolved to block the road and made it clear that no Dangote truck will be allowed to enter the community henceforth. We have also received backing for this decision from the Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Honourable Femi Yusuf.
“Also, we have received an order from all relevant stakeholders. We are not fighting them; we are only asking them to turn back. Whatever they may bring along, we know we do not have power over them. However, we are calling on powerful people in the country who do not compromise to come to our aid, as Kwara South is bleeding. They are killing our people, they are kidnapping our people—please help us.”
“We can no longer sleep, our communities are deserted,” he added.
When contacted for comment, Tony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries, promised to return the call but had not responded by the time this report was filed.
hundreds of residents in Kwara South had abandoned their ancestral homes following a surge in kidnapping incidents, particularly in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where attacks by suspected armed bandits have become a daily occurrence.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows a resident, identified as Ganiyu Babatunde, pleading with the Kwara State Government to urgently intervene and protect the people from worsening insecurity.
many residents, including women and children, were seen at Oke-Ode garage with their belongings, desperately seeking vehicles to convey them to safer locations.
According to locals, the wave of kidnappings has left them living in fear, with many abandoning their farms, homes, and businesses as the insecurity crisis deepens…..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
