Insecurity
Bandits Burn Emir’s Palace, Abduct 10 Residents On Kwara Community As Police Repel Station Attack
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, 2026, also targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters but was successfully repelled by officers on duty.
Ilorin, Kwara State– The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed a coordinated midnight attack by suspected bandits on Yashikira community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, during which the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira was partially razed and ten residents abducted to an unknown destination.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, 2026, also targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters but was successfully repelled by officers on duty.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who condemned the assault as “cowardly and audacious.”
According to the statement, the armed assailants launched a coordinated attack at about 2:00 a.m., striking both the police facility and the Emir’s palace simultaneously.
The statement read, “The Kwara State Police Command condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly and audacious attack carried out by suspected bandits in the early hours of today, 25/5/26, in Yashikira, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“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. 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.”
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered what the Command described as a “full-scale, intelligence-driven tactical operation” involving multiple security agencies.
The operation, according to the police, includes the Nigerian military, forest guards, vigilantes, and other security stakeholders, who have been deployed to comb surrounding forests and known criminal hideouts in a bid to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police wishes to categorically state that the Command will not bow to threats, intimidation, or acts of terror orchestrated by bandits and criminal elements operating within any part of the state,” the statement added.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve, Adekimi declared that security forces would go all out to neutralise the attackers and dismantle their networks.
“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,” the CP stated.
The police further assured residents of Yashikira and the wider Kaiama LGA of intensified security presence, noting that surveillance, intelligence gathering, and aggressive bush-combing operations were already underway across vulnerable areas.
Afrika Eyes had earlier reported that suspected terrorists believed to be bandits have reportedly invaded Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, setting the Emir’s palace ablaze and abducting several residents, including women, children and the Emir’s wives.
Afrika Eyes gathered that the attack occurred late at night when the heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically.
According to sources in the area, the gunmen attacked the palace during the invasion, setting parts of the royal residence on fire before whisking away multiple victims.
“The bandits invaded Yashikira in the night and attacked the palace. They set the palace on fire and kidnapped many women and children, including the Emir’s wives,” a source told Afrika Eyes.
Residents said the attackers operated for hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community.
Another local source described the incident as terrifying, noting that villagers were caught unaware as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
