The people of the Lata Nna community in the Patigi local government area of Kwara State have written a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to President Bola Tinubu over persistent cases of banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the area in the last two years.
In a letter by the secretary of the Lata-Nna Youth Association, Tauheed Desco, on behalf of the community, the people called for the intervention of the president.
“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,” part of the letter read.
They appealed to the president to direct the immediate deployment of security personnel to Lata Nna to secure the community and reopen the only road.
The community also asked the president to order a sustained security operation to flush out bandits from their hideouts around the community.
They also asked for the provision of support and justice for the families of the victims, especially Alhassan Ndaba and the two residents killed on June 26, 2026.
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“Mr President, we voted for hope and security,” the community said. “Please do not let Lata Nna be wiped off the map. Please hear our cry and come to our rescue.”
The people said that violent attacks had gone on for the past two years, saying, “We have been suffering silent, continuous attacks from these bandits.
“We have endured kidnappings, extortion, farm invasions, and armed robberies in silence. But the incidents listed below are the ones that have brought our plight to the limelight because of their scale, boldness, and brutality.
“Last year, in August 2025, 65 hunters were killed in the community bush during the clash between the hunters and the bandits due to the inferior weapons used by our hunters while the bandits were using highly sophisticated ones, the likes of AK-47 and above. Only 40 dead bodies were recorded and buried.
“On April 15, 2026, Mr Allassan Ndaba was attacked and gruesomely murdered by bandits on his way to his farm. A hard-working farmer was killed while trying to feed his family.
“On July 10, 2026, bandits invaded Lata Nna in broad daylight, moving from house to house. They ransacked homes, looted food items, money, and mobile phones. They broke into shops and carted away goods. On that same day, they stole four motorcycles valued at N1.6 million naira, crippling the mobility and business of our youth.
“On June 13, 2026: In a terrifying display of impunity, four armed bandits on two motorcycles entered Lata Nna in broad daylight. They moved freely around the community, searching for recharge cards, petrol and other items. Their boldness and unrestricted movement threw the entire community into panic.
“On June 26, 2026: This was our darkest day. Bandits invaded and blocked the only road that leads into and out of Lata Nna. That single road is our only link to the hospital, the market, and help. By sealing it, the attackers turned our entire community into a hostage zone. On that day, two of our residents who were returning home were shot dead at the blockade.
“On June 27, 2026, villagers who went to fetch leaves behind the village were attacked and robbed at gunpoint. Their phones and money were taken.
“On July 15, 2026, a POS operator who had just gone to the bank to collect cash for business was robbed at gunpoint, and all his money was taken from him.”
