By Ghazali Ibrahim
Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, setting parts of the Emir’s palace on fire and abducting several residents, including women and children.
According to residents, the heavily armed attackers stormed the border community late Sunday night, firing sporadically before targeting the palace and surrounding homes. The assailants were said to have overpowered local vigilantes and operated for several hours, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen first attacked the palace, where they reportedly set sections of the building ablaze before abducting multiple victims.
A resident told SaharaReporters that the attackers kidnapped several people, including some of the Emir’s wives.
“Bandits invaded Yashikira in the night. They set the palace on fire and kidnapped women and children, including the Emir’s wives,” the source said.
Another resident described scenes of panic as families searched for missing relatives after the attackers left the community.
“The attackers came in large numbers with sophisticated weapons. People were running in different directions. Many residents escaped into the bush while the bandits carried away several persons,” the source said.
Security sources said military and police personnel have since launched rescue operations and established a security cordon around the area in a bid to secure the release of the abducted victims.
Reports indicate that about 10 persons were taken during the attack on the Emir’s palace. The gunmen also reportedly attempted to attack nearby police facilities but were repelled by security operatives.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The latest attack comes barely 24 hours after armed men invaded a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Kwara’s Ekiti Local Government Area, where three worshippers were killed and 15 others abducted during a vigil.
The back-to-back attacks have heightened concerns over security in parts of Kwara State, particularly in rural communities vulnerable to incursions by armed groups.
