Suspected bandits on Monday launched a midnight attack on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, setting part of the emir’s palace on fire and abducting three wives and four children of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki.
The attack, which reportedly lasted between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., threw the community into panic as heavily armed gunmen stormed the area, shooting sporadically before advancing toward the palace and a nearby police station.
Residents said the attackers overpowered local security operatives stationed around the palace before breaking into the inner quarters of the royal residence, where members of the emir’s household were abducted.
One resident, who spoke anonymously due to security concerns, said the attackers caused chaos in the community.
“I just finished speaking with my father. He said three of the emir’s wives and four children were abducted, alongside some other residents. People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. Some sustained injuries while escaping,” the resident said.
Another resident, Tukur Ahmed, said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and headed straight for the palace.
“They came on motorcycles and went directly to the palace. They were shooting into the air and forced their way into the inner quarters where the emir’s wives and children were staying.
“They abducted three wives and four children, along with some residents, before setting vehicles on fire and fleeing the town,” he said.
Sources in the community confirmed that several vehicles within the palace premises were burnt during the attack, causing heavy property damage.
The emir was said to be away from the palace when the incident occurred.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, saying 10 people were abducted during the coordinated assault.
According to the statement, the gunmen attacked both the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the emir’s palace simultaneously at about 2:00 a.m.
“The armed criminals, in a coordinated and desperate assault, attacked the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira.
“Part of the palace was set ablaze while 10 persons were abducted and taken to an unknown destination. However, the attack on the police station was successfully repelled by officers on duty,” the statement read.
Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered a joint tactical operation involving the police, military, vigilantes, forest guards and other security agencies to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
Security operatives have since launched search operations in nearby forests and suspected hideouts.
The police assured residents that additional security personnel had been deployed to vulnerable communities and vowed to dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.
“The command remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these enemies of peace. We will deploy every operational asset available to rescue the victims and ensure the criminals face justice,” the statement added.
Kwara North has witnessed a growing wave of insecurity in recent months, with repeated cases of kidnappings, attacks on communities, highway ambushes and assaults on traditional institutions across Baruten, Kaiama, Edu and Patigi local government areas.
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Gabriel Awelewa, has ordered an indefinite suspension of night vigils in worship centres located in remote communities.
The decision followed a recent gunmen attack on a church vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye near Ikerin-Opin, where three worshippers were killed and 15 others abducted.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dada Sunday, the chairman urged churches and mosques in isolated areas to relocate services to safer community centres and limit daytime worship activities to two hours.
“Faith cannot be practised at the expense of life. We have repeatedly warned religious bodies against holding vigils in isolated areas. Worship should protect lives, not expose people to danger,” Awelewa said.
He described the latest attack as a painful reminder of the growing insecurity in rural communities and stressed the need for residents to prioritise safety while security agencies intensify efforts to restore peace in the area.
