THE people of Lata Nna community in 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 that have plagued the area over the past two years.
News Point Nigeria reports that in the letter signed by the Secretary of the Lata-Nna Youth Association, Tauheed Desco, on behalf of the community, the residents appealed to the President to urgently intervene in the worsening security situation.
“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.
The community called on President Tinubu to direct the immediate deployment of security personnel to Lata Nna to secure the area and reopen the only access road into the community.
The residents also urged the President to order sustained security operations to flush out bandits from their hideouts around the community.
They further appealed for support and justice for families of victims, particularly Alhassan Ndaba and the two residents killed during an attack on June 26, 2026.
“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 lamented that violent attacks had persisted in the area for the last two years.
“We have been suffering silent, continuous attacks from these bandits,” the letter stated.
“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.”
The community recalled that in August 2025, no fewer than 65 hunters were killed in the forests around Lata Nna during a clash between local hunters and bandits.
“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,” the residents stated.
They also recounted that on April 15, 2026, Alhassan Ndaba was allegedly attacked and killed by bandits while on his way to his farm.
“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,” the letter added.
The community further narrated that on July 10, 2026, armed bandits invaded Lata Nna in broad daylight, moving from one house to another.
According to the residents, the attackers ransacked homes and looted food items, cash and mobile phones. They also broke into shops and carted away goods.
“On that same day, they stole four motorcycles valued at N1.6 million, crippling the mobility and business of our youth,” the community said.
The letter also detailed another incident that occurred on June 13, 2026, when four armed bandits riding on two motorcycles reportedly entered the community in broad daylight.
“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.”
The residents described June 26, 2026, as the darkest day in the community’s recent history, alleging that bandits blocked the only road linking Lata Nna to neighbouring communities.
“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.”
They added that two residents returning home were shot dead at the blockade on the same day.
The attacks, according to the letter, did not end there.
The residents said that on June 27, 2026, villagers who had gone behind the community to fetch leaves were attacked and robbed at gunpoint.
“Their phones and money were taken,” the community stated.
The people further alleged that on July 15, 2026, a Point of Sale (POS) operator who had just withdrawn cash from a bank for business purposes was also attacked and robbed.
“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,” the letter added.
The community maintained that the deteriorating security situation has made daily life increasingly difficult, depriving residents of access to farms, markets and other essential services, while urging the Federal Government to act swiftly before the situation worsens further.