Less than two days after armed men attacked a prayer gathering in Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting several others, another kidnapping incident has been reported in the state following an overnight invasion of the Emir of Yashikira’s palace in Baruten Local Government Area.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed that the attackers stormed both the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the monarch’s palace at about 2am on Monday.
In a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police said the gunmen carried out the attacks simultaneously.
According to the statement, the assailants set part of the palace on fire and abducted 10 persons before fleeing the area.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
The police said the state commissioner of police has ordered a coordinated rescue mission involving security agencies, local vigilantes, and forest guards to track down the attackers and rescue the victims safely.
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Authorities also disclosed that security teams have begun intensive operations across forests and suspected hideouts within the area.
Reacting to the incident, the commissioner warned criminal groups operating in the state that security agencies would intensify efforts against them.
“The command remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these enemies of peace with every lawful operational asset and strategy at its disposal,” he said.
“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.”
Residents of Yashikira and nearby communities were assured that surveillance and security operations have been strengthened following the latest attack.
The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the south-west, especially after recent attacks in Oyo State, where gunmen invaded communities in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted students and teachers from several schools.