Kwara Community Cries Out: 95% of Our People Have Fled Bandit Terror

In a desperate cry for help, the people of Lata Nna in Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara State, are sounding the alarm. Nearly 95 percent of residents have abandoned their homes, fleeing relentless bandit attacks that have turned their once-thriving farming community into a ghost town. This is not a distant crisis. This is a Nigerian tragedy unfolding in real time, and the community is begging President Bola Tinubu to act before it is too late.

What is happening in Lata Nna?

For over two years, armed bandits have terrorized this agrarian community. Kidnappings, armed robberies, extortion, and invasions of farmlands have become the new normal. But the violence has escalated to a breaking point. In an open letter to President Tinubu, obtained by The PUNCH in Ilorin, the Lata Nna Youth Association detailed a chilling timeline of attacks that have left scores dead and families shattered.

The letter, signed by Secretary Tauheed Desco, paints a grim picture. The only road connecting Lata Nna to neighboring towns is now a death trap. Residents can no longer farm, trade, or even sleep in peace. The community is bleeding, and they feel abandoned by the very government they voted for.

How bad is the violence?

The numbers are staggering. In August 2025, a confrontation between local hunters and bandits left 65 hunters dead in the surrounding forest. Only 40 bodies were recovered. The bandits, armed with AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, overpowered the hunters and took the remaining victims away.

This year alone, the attacks have been relentless. On April 15, a hardworking farmer named Allassan Ndaba was killed while heading to his farm. On June 13, four heavily armed bandits on motorcycles invaded Lata Nna in broad daylight, moving freely through the village in search of petrol and recharge cards. The absence of security personnel left villagers traumatized.

On June 26, bandits blocked the only road into the community, trapping residents and cutting them off from hospitals and markets. Two residents were shot dead at the roadblock. The next day, villagers gathering leaves were robbed at gunpoint. On July 10, armed men stormed the village, looting food, cash, and mobile phones. They stole four motorcycles worth about ₦1.6 million each. On July 15, a Point-of-Sale operator was robbed after withdrawing cash from a bank.

Why is the community crying out now?

Daily life has become impossible. The community's traditional ruler, Alhaji Mohammed Lata, confirmed that 95 percent of the population has fled. Many now sleep in neighboring communities or in the bush, too afraid to return home. Women broke down in tears in a viral video, recounting how insecurity has destroyed their families and livelihoods. One woman said she is the only occupant left in her compound.

The Chief Imam of Lata Nna has also appealed for urgent intervention, warning that continued inaction could lead to more deadly attacks. The community is demanding a permanent security post, improved telecommunications services, a standard healthcare facility, and relief materials for displaced families.

What does the community want from President Tinubu?

The residents are calling on President Tinubu to deploy adequate security personnel to Lata Nna, secure the only access road, and launch sustained military operations to flush out bandits from nearby forests. They are also demanding justice for the families of those killed, particularly Allassan Ndaba and the two residents murdered on June 26.

Their plea is simple but urgent: 'Mr. President, we voted for hope and security. Please do not let Lata Nna be wiped off the map. Please hear our cry and come to our rescue.'

What is the government's response?

Efforts to get a response from the Kwara State Government were unsuccessful. The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, did not answer calls or respond to text messages. This silence only deepens the community's sense of abandonment.

Why this matters for Nigeria

Lata Nna is not an isolated case. Across Kwara North and many other regions, communities are under siege. This is a test of leadership. President Tinubu promised security and prosperity. The people of Lata Nna are watching, and so is the rest of Nigeria. The question is: will the government act before another community is wiped off the map?

This is not just a cry for help. It is a call to action. The time for talk is over. The time for decisive action is now.