Nigerian Communities Under Siege: Traditional Ruler Pleads for Help Against Armed Bandits
In a desperate bid to save his people, Oba Isiaka Sadiku Lawal, the traditional ruler of Sagbe community in Kwara state, has sent out a passionate plea to the government for assistance. The monarch’s community, along with six others, has been under attack by armed bandits, leaving residents fleeing for their lives.
The affected communities, including Ologoma, Ajegunle, Igbo-Agbon, Alabadera, Owode, Alasoro, and Alawo, have been listed by the monarch in an audio message that has gone viral. According to Oba Isiaka, the bandits have taken over the areas, forcing residents to desert their homes.
The situation took a darker turn when the bandits invaded Bankole community, killing one person and rustling cattle. The number of people abducted by the bandits remains unknown. “To add salt to injury, the bandits have invaded our communities, and we are at their mercy,” Oba Isiaka lamented.
Sagbe community, in particular, is vulnerable, with no police post or security presence to protect its residents. The community’s vigilantes have tried to secure the area but to no avail. The monarch has appealed to the government to deploy soldiers, DSS, and other security forces to rescue the communities from the bandits’ incursions.
The monarch’s plea underscores the dire need for government intervention in the affected areas. With the bandits showing no signs of relenting, the fate of the communities hangs in the balance. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the government’s response will be crucial in preventing further bloodshed and restoring peace to the embattled communities.
The recent surge in banditry has become a pressing concern in Nigeria, with many communities facing similar threats. The government’s efforts to tackle the issue have been met with varying degrees of success, but the Sagbe community’s plight highlights the need for a more concerted effort to address the security challenges facing the country.
As the people of Sagbe and the surrounding communities wait with bated breath for the government’s response, their fate serves as a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of banditry and the need for sustained action to prevent such crises from recurring.
