Suspected bandits launched a coordinated midnight raid on Yashikira community in Kwara State on Monday. The attackers hit both the police divisional headquarters and the emir's palace in a two-pronged assault.
At least 10 persons were kidnapped during the operation. Among them were two wives of Emir Alhaji Umaru Seriki Usman and some of his children.
Residents said the gunmen stormed the border town around 2:00am. They first targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters before heading to the palace.
Witnesses reported heavy gunfire echoing across the community for several minutes. Terrified residents fled into nearby bushes to escape the assault.
Gunshots continued as the attackers moved through the palace premises. Part of the palace was set on fire during the invasion.
Some animals including turkeys were also killed in the raid. The emir managed to escape without injury.
Baba Saliu, who represents the constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, provided more details about the attack. According to him, the gunmen operated with clear coordination and immediate firepower.
"They first invaded the police station and carted away some ammunition before heading to the palace," Saliu told reporters. "They immediately opened fire when they got there on the vehicles and other things."
He confirmed the emir's family members were among those abducted. About 10 people in total were taken, he said.
Saliu noted that palace animals died in the incident. "They set the palace ablaze and killed about two turkeys.
But nobody was killed," he added.
Officials advised the monarch to leave the community temporarily. This was for his safety pending restoration of normalcy in the area.
Issa Jubril, Chairman of Baruten Local Government Area, confirmed the incident occurred. "The monarch was able to escape during the incident," Jubril said.
When asked about women and children taken from the palace, Jubril acknowledged their abduction. However, he declined to provide exact figures or names of victims at that time.
"But our emir is safe and the town is calm now," Jubril noted. "We immediately put in a lot of efforts to alert the relevant security agencies and they are on top of the situation."
Kwara State Police Command also confirmed the attack took place. SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer, said suspected bandits carried out the operation in the early hours of Monday.
Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi ordered a full-scale intelligence-driven operation. Tactical police units, the military, forest guards and vigilante groups were mobilized for the rescue mission.
Security deployment has been reinforced across vulnerable communities statewide. Surveillance and bush-combing operations are currently underway to locate victims and apprehend the attackers.
Kwara North has faced mounting insecurity in recent times. Baruten and Kaiama areas have been particularly vulnerable to armed group attacks.
Communities near the Benin Republic border and neighbouring states continue to suffer. The attackers exploit vast forests and difficult terrains in these regions.
