From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Residents of Lata Nna community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to urgently intervene in the worsening insecurity in their area, saying persistent bandit attacks have left them living in fear and unable to carry out their daily activities.
In a Save Our Soul (SOS), letter signed by the Secretary of the Lata Nna Youth Association, Tauheed Desco, on behalf of the community, the residents said banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery and attacks on farmers had continued unabated for the past two years.
They urged the President to immediately deploy more security personnel to the community, secure and reopen the only access road, and order sustained military operations to flush out criminal gangs operating in the area.
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The community also appealed for justice and support for families who lost loved ones in the attacks, particularly the family of Alhassan Ndaba, and two other residents reportedly killed during an attack on June 26, 2026.
Describing their ordeal, the community said, “Your Excellency, we can no longer go to our farms, we can no longer go to the market, and we can no longer sleep with our eyes closed. Our only road is a death trap. Our community is bleeding.”
The letter added, “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.”
According to the residents, insecurity has crippled farming, trading and movement, while repeated attacks have forced many people to live in constant fear.
They recalled that in August 2025, about 65 local hunters were reportedly killed during a clash with bandits in the community’s forest. They claimed only 40 bodies were recovered and buried, blaming the heavy casualties on the hunters’ inferior weapons compared to the sophisticated firearms allegedly used by the attackers.
The community also listed several recent incidents, including the killing of farmer Alhassan Ndaba, on April 15, 2026, while travelling to his farm.
They further alleged that on June 13, four armed bandits riding two motorcycles entered the community in broad daylight, moving freely in search of petrol, recharge cards and other items, leaving residents terrified.
The residents said the situation worsened on June 26, when armed men allegedly blocked the only road leading into and out of Lata Nna, effectively cutting off access to hospitals, markets and emergency assistance.
According to the letter, two residents returning home that day were shot dead at the roadblock.
The community also reported that villagers gathering leaves on June 27 were robbed at gunpoint, while a Point of Sale (POS), operator was allegedly dispossessed of cash after returning from a bank on July 15.
Another attack, they said, occurred on July 10 when bandits reportedly invaded the community in broad daylight, looted homes and shops, stole cash, food items, mobile phones and four motorcycles valued at about N1.6 million.
The residents warned that without urgent government intervention, the security situation could deteriorate further, stressing that their community was on the verge of being overwhelmed by criminal elements.
