Tension in Kwara as Emir of Tsaragi Orders Arrest of Youth Leader Over Anti-Kidnapping Protest
Tension in Kwara as Emir of Tsaragi Orders Arrest of Youth Leader Over Anti-Kidnapping Protest
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Emir Orders Arrest After Protest
The Emir of Tsaragi in Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa Goshi II, has reportedly ordered the arrest of Musa Saidu Tsaragi, the state coordinator of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, following a youth-led demonstration against kidnapping and banditry in the community.
Akahi News learnt that the protest, which took place on Sunday in Tsaragi, Edu Local Government Area, was peaceful but became controversial after the demonstrators stormed the Emir’s palace gates to press home their demands for urgent security interventions.
Saidu’s Allegations Against the Emir
Speaking in an interview, Musa Saidu alleged that the monarch was unsettled by the demonstration and summoned him to the palace on Monday. He claimed he was harassed and verbally abused during the meeting before the Emir allegedly directed the police to arrest him.
“So yesterday evening, the Emir of Tsaragi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa Goshi II, called a meeting that the police of Tsaragi Division should get me arrested while I led a protest to his palace,” Saidu said.
According to Saidu, the Emir also invited the Imam of Limangkoto, officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to query his role in organising the protest. He alleged that the Emir explicitly ordered his arrest for daring to lead youths in chanting solidarity songs against insecurity in the region.
Protest Against Insecurity and Banditry
Akahi News gathered that Sunday’s protest was triggered by worsening insecurity in Tsaragi and surrounding areas. The youths demanded the evacuation of Fulani settlers from Tsaragi land, accusing them of complicity in rising kidnappings and violent attacks.
The demonstrators also urged the Emir to convey their grievances to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whom they accused of failing to adequately protect residents in Kwara North.
Their protest came just hours after a local businessman, Suleiman Ndana, was abducted during a midnight raid. Residents revealed that Ndana had tried to alert security operatives before the attackers stormed his home but received no assistance. He was eventually forced to surrender himself when the gunmen threatened to abduct his pregnant wife.
Fear Grips Tsaragi After Abduction
The abduction of Suleiman Ndana has thrown the town into panic. Eyewitnesses told Akahi News that the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance, shooting sporadically before whisking their victim to an unknown location.
Ndana’s ordeal has further fuelled outrage in the community, with residents accusing authorities of negligence. The protesters insisted that the state government must act decisively to curb criminality before the situation deteriorates further.
A Clash Between Tradition and Activism
The unfolding situation in Tsaragi underscores the deepening tension between traditional institutions and emerging youth movements. While the Emir is seen by some as a custodian of peace and order, critics argue that attempting to silence youth voices in the face of escalating insecurity could worsen mistrust and fuel resentment.
Akahi News notes that the Take-It-Back Movement, to which Saidu belongs, has gained traction across Nigeria for mobilising grassroots protests against injustice and poor governance. The order for Saidu’s arrest could therefore draw wider reactions from civil society organisations and human rights advocates.
The Tsaragi protest and its fallout have spotlighted the dire security challenges plaguing Kwara North and the fragile relationship between community leaders and aggrieved youths. As residents await the safe return of abducted businessman Suleiman Ndana, the arrest order against Musa Saidu raises fresh questions about freedom of expression, accountability, and the role of traditional rulers in addressing modern security crises.
Akahi News will continue to monitor developments in Tsaragi as more details emerge.
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