‘Thugs Linked To Kwara Governor’s Aides Attacked Us’: Protesters Speak After Assault During Peaceful Demonstration Against Insecurity
Peaceful protesters under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement were violently attacked in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, on Thursday, allegedly by thugs linked to top aides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
One of the victims, Comrade Musa Saidu Tsaragi, who spoke with SaharaReporters, accused the Governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters, Aliyu Muyideen, and the Adviser on Social Investment, Sadiq Buhari, of orchestrating the attack to silence their protest against rising insecurity in Kwara North and South senatorial districts.
"While we were protesting, a Toyota Siena car pulled up. The front window was down, and I saw Aliyu Muyideen driving, with Sadiq Buhari in the passenger seat," Comrade Tsaragi said.
According to him, two thugs emerged from the vehicle and began harassing the demonstrators. "One of them accused Comrade Gentle of owing him money—someone he had never met before. When we challenged him, the thug became violent. Then Sadiq Buhari pointed at me, and another thug—tall and aggressive—known as Kale punched me in the face."
Tsaragi added that police officers later arrived at the scene, but the assailants resisted arrest and even attacked the law enforcement officers before being subdued.
"At the State Intelligence Department (SID), the thugs confessed that they were sent by Muyideen and Buhari. They accused us of being PDP agents protesting to undermine the governor," he said.
The protesters denied any political affiliation, insisting their demonstration was purely about the security failures affecting their communities, particularly in Kwara North and South, which have suffered repeated bandit attacks.
They asked us why we were protesting against Governor AbdulRahman, insisting that the governor had done what was expected of him.
"The thugs mentioned that since the governor had appointed commissioners and special advisers from both Kwara North and South, there was no reason for our protest,” Tsaragi said.
While police took the arrested thugs away, the Take-It-Back members were eventually released.
The whereabouts and status of the arrested assailants remain unknown as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, in a press statement released on Friday, Comrade Tsaragi stated that more than 100 lives have been lost in ongoing clashes between local vigilante groups and armed bandits in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas.
He added that in the early hours of Thursday, another village, Edogi Chapa, was attacked, and two innocent women were kidnapped.
The statement read, "We have invited you here to set the record straight and inform the public about a recent, unfortunate incident.
"On July 10, 2025, the Kwara State Chapter of the Take It Back Movement organized a peaceful protest in Ilorin, the state capital. The aim was to draw attention to the alarming insecurity plaguing both Kwara North and Kwara South. Unfortunately, while the protest was underway at exactly 9:28 a.m., and while members of the press were interviewing us thugs stormed the venue.
"Shockingly, these thugs were reportedly led by two Special Assistants to the Kwara State Government: the SA on Security and the SA on Social Investment. They were clearly sighted in a Toyota Sienna vehicle, coordinating the disruption.
"Let me state clearly: the Take It Back Movement stands for democracy, accountability, and good governance. It is, therefore, both shameful and disappointing that individuals serving in government would align themselves with thugs to suppress a peaceful, non-violent demonstration."
"Following the disruption, I Comrade Musa Saidu Tsaragi and some of my colleagues were taken to the State CID headquarters for questioning,” he said.
"It was only after the intervention of the Commissioner of Police that we were released. However, we were compelled to delete all video recordings from our devices a blatant violation of our rights and freedom of expression.”
He continued, "To make matters worse, those responsible for this attack are now spreading false claims that we are working for the opposition. Let me be clear: I was among those who vigorously campaigned for this very government in 2019. But today, our communities are under siege.
"Our people are being kidnapped and forced to pay outrageous ransoms to unknown gunmen. Is it now a crime to speak up for the safety and security of our own people?
Tsaragi stated, "How long will this continue? What is the government doing about these growing atrocities? Let me emphasize: this movement is not about me, Comrade Musa Saidu Tsaragi. It is not just about the Take It Back Movement.
"This is about the lives and property of our people ordinary Kwarans who deserve to live in peace and security.
“We will not be silenced.
"If those appointed to speak truth to power are unwilling or afraid to do so, we will continue to raise our voices for the people."
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Thursday said that both the Senior Special Assistant on Security and the Special Assistant on Social Involvement informed him that they were not present at the scene.
"It isn't true. I told the SSA of the ‘arrest’ when I saw it here,” he said, referring to a WhatsApp platform.
“He had to make calls before calling me back. I couldn't have told him about something that he "did".
"Saddiq Buhari has just told me that it is not true. He said he hadn't come out today. I have no reason to doubt him. So, you are apparently mistaken, except he can provide the video or photo of Buhari as he claimed."
Source: SaharaReporters
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