Armed criminals have struck Nigeria’s north-central region again in a violent Kwara bandit attack that has left a traditional community in shock.
The midnight Yashikira community invasion saw gunmen burn down parts of the Emir’s palace and kidnap 10 people, including the wives and children of the paramount ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the bandit hit both the palace and a police station at roughly 2:00 a.m. on Monday, highlighting the worsening Nigeria kidnapping crisis.
Security Forces Respond to the Emir Palace Raid
The Kwara State Police Command stated that while security forces successfully repelled the assault on the local station, the Emir palace raid resulted in severe property damage and mass abduction.
In an official briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, detailed the gravity of the incident:
“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, Baruten 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.”
Following the late-night assault, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered an immediate, full-scale tactical operation. This joint force includes the military, police, forest guards, and local vigilantes. Their clear mission is to hunt down the gunmen and bring the captives home safely.
Ejire-Adeyemi added: “The command remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these enemies of peace with every lawful operational asset and strategy at its disposal.
“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.”
Kwara Bandit Attack: Terror in the Yashikira Community Invasion
Eyewitness accounts reveal a timeline of terror that gripped the town for hours. Residents reported that the gunmen arrived on motorcycles between midnight and 2:00 a.m., firing weapons into the air to scare the public before moving toward the royal residence.
An anonymous resident shared details of the family members taken during the attack: “I just finished speaking with my father. He told me that three of the Emir’s wives and four children were abducted, alongside some other residents of the community.”
Another local witness, Tukur Ahmed, described the chaotic scene as the attackers broke through the property defences.
“They were shooting into the air and broke into the inner quarters where the Emir’s wives and children were staying,” Ahmed said. “They abducted three of the wives and four children, alongside some other residents, before setting vehicles on fire and fleeing the town.”
The royal leader was fortunate to be away from the residence when the gunmen breached the walls. However, the criminals set multiple vehicles ablaze, leaving behind damage worth millions of naira.
This latest strike reflects a dangerous trend. Kwara North has faced a sharp rise in rural violence recently. Frequent raids now threaten small villages, major roads, and traditional leaders across the Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, and Patigi local areas.
Special forces have started combing the dense forests and bushlands across the region. Local leaders hope these joint patrols will stop the gangs and safely free the hostages.
