No One Has Been Arrested, Persecuted
Nigerian Rapper Critiques Government Response to Kwara Attack
Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, known as Falz, has publicly criticized the Federal Government for its response to a deadly attack in Kwara State. His remarks come in the wake of a violent incident that left at least 162 people dead in the local communities of Woro and Nuku.
In a video posted Sunday on his Instagram account, Falz condemned government officials for prioritizing political ambitions ahead of the welfare and safety of citizens. He expressed frustration over the apparent lack of substantial response following the February 3, 2026, attacks by armed assailants, who demanded adherence to their interpretation of Sharia law. These attackers are suspected to have ties to Boko Haram or the Islamic State-affiliated Lakurawa group.
Falz’s comments followed President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State as part of Operation Savannah Shield, accompanied by a general condemnation of the violence. However, the rapper expressed skepticism, noting the absence of arrests or legal actions since the incident.
“In Kwara, nearly 200 people were killed,” Falz said. “The President issued a standard statement of sorrow, but who has been arrested? Who has faced prosecution? Nothing has happened; we just move on.”
He further criticized political parties for advancing campaign preparations for the 2027 elections while affected communities continue to mourn. Falz raised concerns about politicians appointing regional coordinators, despite the Electoral Act specifying that campaign activities can commence only months before elections.
In his address, Falz also took aim at some religious leaders, alleging their silence on significant national issues. He referenced the recent Senate rejection of a proposal to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results as evidence of a broader problem within Nigeria’s leadership.
“People are being killed every day, but what is the government doing? They are setting up structures for the 2027 elections,” he remarked, underscoring a growing disconnect between political actions and public safety concerns. Falz urged a shift from mere prayer to proactive solutions to address the nation’s security challenges.
