Bandits Take Over Ex-Kwara Lawmaker's N150 Million Farm, Harvest and Sell His Crops
A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Dauda Lata, has made a shocking allegation that armed bandits have completely taken over his farm valued at about N150 million, harvested all his crops and sold them openly in local markets.
Lata, who represented Lata and neighbouring communities in the state Assembly, said he was helpless and could do nothing to stop the criminals.
In a radio interview monitored by SaharaReporters, the former lawmaker also revealed that more than 100 vigilantes have been killed in his community and buried in a mass grave by residents. The community, located along the Kwara-Kogi border, has suffered repeated attacks allegedly carried out by bandits operating from a grazing reserve in the area.
"They killed over 100 people from my community even last year. Over hundred 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," Lata said.
The former lawmaker said residents repeatedly reported the attacks to authorities but got little or no help.
"Those Fulani people that are living with us; in 2020, they burned our community, killed a lot of people. Till date, the government has done nothing about it," he said.
Lata also alleged that several residents have been abducted by bandits, with some victims still in captivity. He said bandits are demanding N50 million ransom for the release of some kidnapped community members.
"Even if you sell all of us in my community, we won't be valued up to N50 million. We told the government about this too, nothing happened," he said.
Lata said the worsening insecurity and the government's failure to respond to repeated appeals contributed to his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC).
"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 but he refused to respond," Lata said.
The former lawmaker has called on the government to deploy soldiers, mobile police officers and forest guards to protect residents from further attacks
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