An undisclosed source within the emirate has revealed that the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, has issued threats to journalists regarding their coverage of terrorist attacks in Kwara North.
This intimidation comes as media practitioners in the region face severe pressure to refrain from reporting on rising insecurity.
The source, speaking to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the Emir summoned journalists to his palace on Sunday. During this meeting, he warned them against reporting any further incidents of terrorism or bandit attacks in the area.
The Emir stated that he was acting on the orders of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State,” the source explained. He threatened that if journalists did not comply, they could face arrest.
This intimidation follows growing concerns regarding repeated bandit attacks in Lafiagi, Patigi, and nearby communities, where residents have been kidnapped, killed, or coerced into paying ransoms to terrorists operating with impunity.
The insider further alleged,
The Kwara State Government has previously threatened The Informant247 for similar reporting on insecurity in Kwara North.
The governor claimed that journalists from SaharaReporters, Nupeko TV, and The Informant247 are embarrassing the government with their coverage.
As a result, journalists in the area are reportedly living in fear of potential arrest and harassment.
In a related incident, a case involving the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State, which detained a well-known blogger, Abdulsamad Oloyin—popularly known as Yolo—over alleged defamation against a businesswoman, Wahab Ramat.
Oloyin was taken into custody on Thursday following a petition from Ramat, who accused him of portraying her as an informant to bandits.
Ramat demanded N5 million in damages and insisted that Oloyin record a video apology, threatening to take legal action if he refused.
A senior NSCDC officer confirmed that Ramat alleged Oloyin’s posts had damaged her reputation, strained her marriage, and cost her customers.
This series of events highlights the increasing risks faced by journalists in Kwara State as they attempt to report on critical security issues affecting local communities.
