Members of the Take-It-Back Movement staged a peaceful demonstration in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Friday, demanding the immediate rescue of residents abducted across various communities in the state. The group also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to secure the victims’ release.
Drivetvnews gathered that the protesters gathered at Tanke Junction early in the morning and marched through major roads before ending the rally at the Government House on Ahmadu Bello Way. Their action was driven by growing concerns over the increasing cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in areas such as Edu, Patigi, Ifelodun, and several communities in Kwara South.
Speaking during the protest, the state coordinator of the movement, Saidu Tsaragi, said the worsening insecurity had overshadowed Democracy Day celebrations for families whose relatives remain in captivity. He stressed that many victims, including residents from Yaashikira and other affected communities, were still being held by kidnappers.
The protesters accused the government of failing to adequately address the security challenges facing the state. They argued that protecting lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of the authorities and called for urgent intervention to secure the release of those abducted.
Several demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as government neglect, saying families of victims continue to suffer while their loved ones remain in the hands of criminals. They warned that insecurity now threatens every household and urged citizens to unite in demanding better protection.
The group stated that if the government fails to rescue the victims within the next 72 hours, it will intensify its campaign and mobilise supporters across the state. Some protesters also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in Kwara.
Maintaining that the protest was not politically motivated, the demonstrators said their primary concern was the safety of residents. They vowed to return to the Government House on Monday if no significant action is taken to address their demands.
