Date: 2015-05-07

Media reports have it that the Agbarere community in Ilorin was attacked by hoodlums last weekend. They were said to have stormed the area in a Gestapo style unleashing mayhem and destruction, leaving in its wake sorrow, tears and blood. At the last count, two persons are dead, about six houses were torched and property destroyed among which are cars and houses. At least 100 vehicles are said to have been vandalized in the process and up till the time of going to press, the police has arrested over 60 suspects. This is not the first time an incident like this will occur in the same area. Nevertheless at every time, the consequence is usually very destructive. Lives have continued to be lost in that area.

Apart from the deaths and destruction, the popular Oba Market was affected too. Commercial activities were suspended for two days, thus depriving traders and residents the opportunity to transact business or procure needed wares. In this instance, reports suggest that trouble began when a very well known area boy (thug) fell out with his partner in crime who is alleged to be a staff of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Both men were alleged to be involved in the illicit sale of marijuana. The suspected NDLEA staff is said to use the community thug as a distributor for his illicit business. They fell out because full monetary returns were no longer being made and this sparked a fracas which resulted in the breach of peace in the capital city.

One account has it that, as a result of the altercation, our findings reveal, the enraged officer decided to use his official connections to arrest suspected area boys in the whole Idi-Ape area. As a result of which, other community boys retaliated by attacking the family compound of the officer. Whatever may be the truthful narration of the events, we believe it is about time the state government puts a stop to the disturbances arising from that area of town. It is noteworthy that Kwara is reputed to be one of the safest states in the federation. In fact the state is better known as the “state of harmony”. Even the present governor says “it is good here” in one of the numerous messages aimed at attracting investment to the state.

We therefore appeal to the youths to understand that while it is important that government addresses issues regarding employment and related issues, it is incumbent on them to ensure there is no one that will use them to obscure what Kwara is widely known for. And there is no way things can get better if there is no conducive atmosphere for investments to come in and for business to thrive. The governor is not going to look for paid employment again. It is the youths that will do so and it is a pity that by their own hands they are rubbishing the opportunity as presented by a peaceful Kwara.

We commend government for the prompt response to put the crisis under control. We also commend the police for rising to the occasion especially the numerous arrests made. Furthermore, we call on them to ensure that the arrests are not one-sided. All parties to the conflict must be thoroughly investigated. Most importantly, all culprits must be made to pay for their infractions. Culprits must be punished according to the law. It is not enough for this event to end at making random arrests without setting examples. Examples are good to serve as deterrents to would be brigands. The crisis is habitual and as such it is about time the matter is dealt with in a more systemic and holistic manner so that there will not be a repeat of such mayhem again.

We also call on the state government to re-double her efforts towards creation of job opportunities for the teaming youth of Kwara. They say, an idle hand is the devils workshop. Job creation is a continuous enterprise; therefore, while we commend the government for what it has done so far, they must look for new avenues to engage these young people either through empowerment, direct employment or increasing investment drive. Even the local governments are not left out of this. It is therefore our hope that young people must not resort to violence at every provocation. They should rather report any trouble maker be he an NDLEA operative or not to their representative at the House of Assembly or protest to the governor. A peaceful Kwara which attracts investment as we have seen in the last 12 years is indeed a blessing to the same Kwara youths.