Zainab Abioye
A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dauda Lata, has alleged that bandits seized his farm, valued at about N150m, harvested his crops and sold the produce openly in local markets after taking control of the facility.
Lata, who represented Lata and neighbouring communities in the state Assembly, also alleged that more than 100 vigilantes were killed by armed men in his community and subsequently buried in a mass grave by residents.
The former lawmaker made the allegations during an interview on Diamond FM monitored by Platform Times.
He said the worsening security situation in his community, located along the Kwara-Kogi border, had forced residents to live under constant fear, accusing the government of failing to respond adequately to repeated appeals for intervention.
Lata alleged that armed men operating from a grazing reserve in the area had repeatedly attacked the community, resulting in deaths, abductions and destruction of property.
He said, “Last year, these bandits seized my farm and took over it. I am a big farmer, and I invested up to N150m on that farm. I texted the governor and the Speaker, but there was no response.
“We always see these bandits live and direct. They took crops and produce from my farm and brought them to our market to sell them, and I could not do anything to stop them.”
According to him, the security crisis had become so severe that residents were compelled to treat the armed men with deference because of their inability to confront them.
Lata further alleged that more than 100 vigilantes from the community were killed while attempting to protect residents from attacks.
“They killed over 100 people from my community even last year. Over 100 vigilantes were killed. We buried them in a mass grave. We, the people, did it ourselves. Not even the local government helped us or offered condolences,” he alleged.
He claimed that residents had repeatedly reported the attacks to relevant authorities but that government intervention was delayed.
The former lawmaker also alleged that some residents had been abducted and remained in captivity, with their families reportedly being asked to pay N50m in ransom.
“Before he came, these Fulani also kidnapped people and up till now the people have not been released. They are asking for N50m as ransom,” he said.
Lata said another resident was killed weeks after further appeals for assistance, adding that the community had requested the deployment of soldiers, mobile policemen or forest guards to protect residents.
He expressed concern over the psychological impact of the insecurity on children and other residents, alleging that fear of abduction and attacks had affected the wellbeing of members of the community.
The former lawmaker also accused the state government and other political office holders of failing to adequately address the security challenges despite repeated appeals.
He said his frustration over the alleged neglect of his community contributed to his decision to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“I left the APC because the governor has refused to visit my community, Lata, since 2020. I even sent a message to the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, but he refused to respond,” Lata said.
He also criticised the alleged failure of local government authorities and his successor in the state Assembly to respond effectively to the security situation.
Lata said residents had been left to fend for themselves despite the repeated attacks and appeals for government intervention.
The allegations could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
PLATFORM TIMES also could not independently establish the identities of those allegedly responsible for the attacks, the reported deaths or the alleged occupation and harvesting of produce from Lata’s farm.
The Kwara State Government and the security agencies were not immediately available for comments on the allegations.
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