The Emir of Tsaragi in Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa Goshi II, has directed the arrest of Musa Saidu Tsaragi, leader of the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) in the state, following a protest against worsening insecurity in the community.
Saidu, who confirmed the development in an interview, said the Emir became unsettled after youths in Edu Local Government Area staged a peaceful demonstration on Sunday over rising cases of kidnapping and banditry.
According to Saidu, he was summoned to the Emir’s palace on Monday, where he was accused of spearheading the protest that reached the palace gates. He alleged that during the meeting, he was harassed and insulted before the monarch instructed the Divisional Police Officer of Tsaragi to arrest him.
“I led a peaceful protest on Sunday over kidnappings and banditry in our community,” Saidu explained. “By Monday, the Emir convened a meeting, inviting the police, the Imam of Limangkoto, and other stakeholders, during which he ordered my arrest for leading the demonstration.”
On Sunday, angry residents had gathered at the palace demanding decisive action against insecurity, particularly after armed men kidnapped a local businessman, Suleiman Ndana, in a midnight raid. The incident reportedly occurred despite Ndana contacting security forces before the attackers stormed his home.
Eyewitnesses said the kidnappers shot indiscriminately before seizing Ndana. They also attempted to abduct his pregnant wife but spared her after Ndana surrendered himself.
During the protest, the youths demanded that Fulani settlers leave Tsaragi land and urged the monarch to deliver their complaints to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. They accused the state government of neglecting Kwara North, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated attacks.
Chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators called for urgent intervention to restore security. Ndana’s abduction, meanwhile, has left residents living in fear, with many demanding swift action from authorities to prevent further tragedies.
