Gunmen Burn Emir’s Palace, Abduct 10 in Midnight Kwara Attack

Suspected bandits launched a midnight attack on Yashikira community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, setting part of the Emir’s palace ablaze and abducting at least 10 residents during the coordinated assault.

Reports indicated that some wives of the Emir of Yashikira were among those kidnapped by the gunmen during the invasion, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

The attackers also targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters, but security operatives on duty reportedly repelled the assault after an exchange.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Kwara State Police Command described the attack as “cowardly and audacious,” saying the assailants stormed the community around 2:00 a.m.

Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the armed men simultaneously attacked the palace and the police station in what authorities believe was a coordinated operation.

The statement read, “The armed criminals, in a coordinated and desperate assault at about 0200hrs, simultaneously attacked the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira.”

According to the police, part of the palace was razed during the attack while the victims were taken to an unknown destination by the gunmen.

“During the attack, part of the palace was set ablaze, while ten people were abducted and taken to an unknown destination. However, the attack on the Police station was successfully repelled by police operatives on duty,” the statement added.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ojo Adekimi, reportedly ordered a large-scale security operation involving personnel of the police, military, forest guards, vigilantes and other local security outfits.

Security teams have since launched bush-combing and intelligence operations across surrounding forests and suspected hideouts in an effort to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.

The police command vowed not to surrender any part of the state to criminal groups, insisting that security agencies were fully prepared to confront the attackers.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to categorically state that the Command will not bow to threats, intimidation, or acts of terror orchestrated by bandits and criminal elements operating within any part of the state,” the statement said.

The command further assured residents of Yashikira and neighbouring communities that surveillance and security deployments had been intensified to prevent further attacks.

Authorities also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid ongoing operations.