Gunmen have abducted 10 people from the palace of the Emir of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State during a coordinated overnight attack.
According to a report by TheCable, the attackers struck the emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters simultaneously at about 2am on Monday.
The incident came less than 48 hours after gunmen reportedly killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others at a prayer ground in Ekiti LGA of the state, worsening security concerns across Kwara.
In a statement, Kwara police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the attackers set part of the palace ablaze before abducting 10 victims to an unknown destination.
“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.
She added that police officers on duty successfully repelled the attack on the police station.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has reportedly ordered a full-scale tactical operation involving the police, military personnel, forest guards, vigilantes, and other security agencies to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
The police command said security operatives had intensified surveillance and bush-combing operations in vulnerable areas around Baruten LGA and neighbouring communities.
Adekimi warned that security agencies would not yield to intimidation from criminal groups operating in the state.
“These criminals have declared war against peace-loving citizens, and we are fully prepared to hunt them down relentlessly,” he said.
The latest attack has heightened fears over growing insecurity in parts of the South-West and North-Central regions.
Earlier this month, gunmen riding motorcycles invaded communities in the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, abducting students and staff members from several schools. Two people, including an assistant headmaster identified as Joel Adesiyan, were killed during the attack.
