Bandits Attack Kwara Community, Burn Emir’s Palace, Abduct 10

Bandits have attacked Yashikira community in Baruten local government area of Kwara State and abducted 10 persons.

The bandits also burnt a section of the town’s monarch’s palace.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the attack took place on Sunday night and that the bandits targeted the palace of the Emir of Yashikira and police stations.

The residents said that the security operatives repelled the bandits before they could reach their targets.

A top security officer who confirmed the late night attack to LEADERSHIP, said, “Security forces have launched immediate rescue operations to free victims of the Yashikira abduction, which occurred on Sunday night.

“Military and police operatives have established a cordon in the area as part of the efforts to rescue about 10 persons who were reportedly taken from the community in an overnight attack on the palace of the Emir of Yashikira.

“The attackers also sought to raid the local police stations but were reportedly repelled.”

The state police command confirmed the attack on the Yashikira community by the bandits.

In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire- Adeyemi, the Police condemned the attack on the community.

The statement reads:” The Kwara State Police Command condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly and audacious attack carried out by suspected bandits in the early hours of today, 25/5/26, in Yashikira, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.

“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. 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.

“Following the incident, the commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, immediately ordered a full-scale, intelligence-driven tactical operation involving the Police, Military, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and other security stakeholders to comb the surrounding forests and criminal hideouts with the sole objective of rescuing the victims unhurt and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“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 Command remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these enemies of peace with every lawful operational asset and strategy at its disposal.

“These criminals have declared war against peace-loving citizens, and we are fully prepared to hunt them down relentlessly. We will deploy everything within our operational capacity to smoke them out of hiding, dismantle their networks, rescue all abducted victims, and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

“The Command further assures residents of Yashikira, Baruten LGA, and the entire State that security operations have been intensified across vulnerable areas. In addition, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and aggressive bush-combing operations are ongoing.”