Some youths in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have protested against the killings and abductions of women and children in the community.

The Peoples Gazette gathered that the protest held on Tuesday saw the youth march to the council secretariat to demand urgent action on the 176 women and children reportedly in Boko Haram’s captivity.

One of the protesters, Abdulmim Mohammed, who spoke to The Gazette, expressed worry over the victims’ situation in captivity.

“We are protesting because of insecurity and our families were kidnapped for almost three months now. There is no news about them and the families are worried,” Mr Mohammed told The Gazette. 

He noted that the Nuku and Kemanji communities were attacked, adding that the situation persisted without any action from the authorities.

“The protest was triggered because of the killing in our community. Our people are dying and there is no solution. Our farmers can’t go to their farms any longer. Our peace has been taken away from us,” he stated.

Another protester, Nasir Labeeb, told The Gazette that since the launch of Operation Savanah Shield, the troops were yet to be deployed to the area.

“We are protesting because we are not happy about increased attacks in our local government. In every aspect, the state government last week launched Operation Savannah Shield but there is nothing like that in Kaiama,” he noted.

He added, “Over 300 people were kidnapped in Woro and nothing was done. Again, 176 people are still in captivity and nothing has been done. We have seen clips of the kidnap victims in Woro and their abductors are demanding ransoms.”

The spokesman for the Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, declined calls made to his mobile and had also yet to reply to a text message sent as of the time this report was filed.