Residents of Lata Nna community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the worsening security situation in the 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 Ahmed Desco, on behalf of the community, the residents said the wave of banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery and farm invasions over the past two years had crippled economic and social life.
The community lamented that residents could no longer access their farms or markets freely, while their only access road had become a death trap.
“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 read.
The residents urged President Tinubu to order the immediate deployment of security personnel to the community to restore peace, secure the only access road and launch sustained operations to flush out armed bandits from surrounding forests.
They also appealed for support and justice for families of victims, particularly the relatives of the late Alhassan Ndaba and two other residents reportedly killed during an attack on June 26, 2026.
“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,” they pleaded.
The community recounted a series of attacks which they said highlighted the worsening insecurity in the area.
According to the letter, one of the deadliest incidents occurred in August 2025 when about 65 local hunters were reportedly killed during a clash with heavily armed bandits. The residents said only 40 bodies were recovered and buried, blaming the tragedy on the hunters’ inferior weapons compared to the sophisticated firearms used by the attackers.
They also alleged that on April 15, 2026, farmer Alhassan Ndaba was murdered by bandits while travelling to his farm.
The residents further stated that on June 13, 2026, four armed bandits riding two motorcycles entered the community in broad daylight, moving freely while searching for petrol, recharge cards and other items, creating widespread panic among residents.
They said the situation worsened on June 26 when armed men reportedly blocked the only road leading into and out of Lata Nna, effectively trapping the community and cutting off access to healthcare, markets and other essential services.
According to the letter, two residents returning home were shot dead at the road blockade.
The community added that on June 27, villagers who went to fetch leaves behind the settlement were attacked at gunpoint and dispossessed of their phones and cash.
They further alleged that on July 10, bandits stormed Lata Nna in broad daylight, looting homes, shops, food items, cash and mobile phones, while also carting away four motorcycles valued at about N1.6 million.
The residents also claimed that on July 15, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator was robbed at gunpoint shortly after withdrawing cash from a bank for business activities.
Describing the attacks as “silent, continuous assaults,” the community said residents had endured kidnappings, extortion, farm invasions and armed robberies for two years, warning that urgent federal intervention was needed to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.