Bandits launched a coordinated midnight attack on Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, hitting the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Emir’s palace, which was partially razed. The raid left residents panicked and shook the traditional institution.
The incident reportedly happened around 2:00am on Monday. Attackers came in large numbers and struck both targets at once. Eyewitnesses said they fired for several minutes, forcing people to flee into nearby bushes as sporadic shooting echoed across the town.
About ten people were abducted and taken to an unknown destination. The Emir of Yashikira escaped unharmed, though there was brief confusion inside the palace during the invasion.
The attack has deepened fears in border-straddling Baruten LGA, an area often pressured by armed groups taking advantage of tough terrain and interstate routes. Local authorities confirmed some women and children were among those affected, but exact figures were still being compiled.
Baruten local government chairman Issa Jubril said “the monarch was able to escape during the incident”. Queried that some women and children from the Palace were also abducted, Issa said “Yes, but I will not be able to give you the exact figures and identities of the victims now.
“But our Emir is safe and the town is calm now. We immediately put in a lot of efforts to alert the relevant security agencies and they are on top of the situation”, he said.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed suspected bandits carried out the coordinated pre-dawn attack. SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi has ordered a full-scale, intelligence-driven operation involving police tactical units, the military, forest guards and vigilante groups to rescue the abducted and track the attackers. The Command said security deployments have been reinforced and surveillance and bush-combing continue.
