Suspected armed bandits launched a coordinated midnight attack on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, burning part of the Emir’s palace and abducting 10 people, including relatives of the traditional ruler, authorities said Monday.
The Kwara State Police Command said the attackers struck at about 2 a.m., simultaneously targeting the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umar Seriki.
In a statement, police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi described the assault as “coordinated and desperate,” adding that part of the palace was set ablaze during the attack.
Police said 10 people were abducted and taken to an unknown destination, while officers on duty successfully repelled the attack on the divisional headquarters.
Residents said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and fired sporadically before advancing on the palace and nearby homes.
One resident, who spoke anonymously, said three wives and four children of the emir were among those kidnapped.
Another resident, Tukur Ahmed, said the attackers broke into the inner quarters of the palace before setting vehicles ablaze and fleeing the community.
Authorities said the emir was not inside the palace at the time of the attack.
Following the incident, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi ordered a joint tactical operation involving the military, police, vigilantes and forest guards to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
Security agencies have since commenced surveillance and bush-combing operations across the area.
Kwara North has witnessed increasing incidents of banditry in recent months, with repeated attacks reported in Baruten, Kaiama, Edu and Patigi local government areas.
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