Gunmen Attack Yashikira Emir’s Palace In Kwara, Abduct 10 And Set Part Of Palace Ablaze

Gunmen attack Yashikira Emir’s palace in Kwara, abduct 10 and set part of palace ablaze Gunmen have abducted 10 persons following a coordinated overnight attack on the Yashikira Emir’s palace in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, also setting parts of the palace on fire during the operation. The incident reportedly occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday when the attackers launched a simultaneous assault on the Emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters, throwing the community into panic. According to the Kwara State Police Command, the armed men stormed both locations in a coordinated attack, firing sporadically and overpowering local security responses in the process. The police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed that the attackers abducted 10 individuals and whisked them away to an unknown destination, while also setting sections of the palace ablaze. She added that the attack on the police division was successfully repelled by officers on duty, preventing further casualties at the station. The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State has ordered a full-scale intelligence-driven operation involving tactical units, military personnel, vigilantes, and forest guards to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted victims. Security agencies have since intensified patrols and bush-combing operations in surrounding communities, with surveillance efforts expanded across vulnerable border areas in the state. Authorities say all available resources have been deployed to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and to prevent further attacks.The incident adds to a growing wave of insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly in remote and forest-border communities where armed groups have repeatedly carried out kidnappings and violent raids.

Residents have continued to express concern over frequent attacks, calling for stronger security presence and faster emergency response to prevent further escalation. The police command assured residents that ongoing operations are aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the area and restoring calm to affected communities. It warned perpetrators that security forces would intensify efforts to hunt them down and prevent future attacks on vulnerable locations, including traditional institutions and rural settlements.