Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently rescue residents abducted during the attack on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, where armed assailants reportedly burned part of the Emir’s palace and kidnapped several people, including members of the royal household.
In a statement on Monday, the human rights organisation condemned the incident, which occurred on 25 May 2026, describing it as part of a worsening security crisis affecting rural communities in northern Nigeria.
The group said authorities must act swiftly to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons, while also strengthening security in vulnerable areas and conducting thorough investigations to bring those responsible to justice.
Amnesty International warned that the attack reflects a disturbing pattern of violence in Kwara State and other parts of the north, where communities continue to face repeated incidents of abductions, killings, and destruction of property.
It noted that the latest attack came less than 24 hours after another deadly incident during a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where several worshippers were reportedly killed and others abducted.
The organisation said the situation underscores the urgent need for sustained government intervention to prevent further deterioration of security in affected regions.
Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to protect lives, warning that failure to act decisively could embolden further attacks on vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command had earlier confirmed that suspected bandits carried out a coordinated midnight assault on Yashikira community, during which part of the Emir’s palace was set ablaze and 10 persons abducted, including members of the traditional ruler’s family.
According to the police, the attackers struck around 2:00 a.m., simultaneously targeting the Emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters in what was described as a “coordinated and desperate operation.”
Security operatives said they successfully repelled the attack on the police station and have since launched a joint tactical operation involving the military, police, vigilantes, and other security agencies to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
The incident has further heightened concerns over escalating insecurity in Kwara State, where rural communities have repeatedly come under attack in recent months.
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