Suspected bandits on Monday night invaded Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting three wives and four children of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki, after setting part of the palace ablaze.
The attack, which lasted from about midnight to 2:00 a.m., also targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters as heavily armed assailants stormed the border community, shooting sporadically to create panic among residents.
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Sources in the area said the attackers overwhelmed security operatives stationed around the palace before gaining access to the inner chambers of the royal residence, where several members of the emir’s family were taken away.
A resident, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said confusion erupted across the community as residents fled in different directions to escape the gunfire.
“I just spoke with my father and he confirmed that three of the emir’s wives and four children were kidnapped alongside some residents. Many people sustained injuries while trying to escape, though we do not yet know the exact number,” the source said.
Another resident, Tukur Ahmed, disclosed that the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and headed straight for the palace.
“They rode into the town on motorcycles, shooting into the air before breaking into the inner part of the palace where the emir’s family members were staying.
“They abducted three wives and four children of the emir, as well as some residents, before burning vehicles in the palace and fleeing,” he said.
Residents said several vehicles within the palace premises were destroyed during the attack, with property losses running into millions of naira.
The traditional ruler was reportedly away from the palace when the incident occurred.
Confirming the attack, the Kwara State Police Command said 10 persons were abducted during the coordinated raid
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police condemned the assault, describing it as a daring operation carried out simultaneously on the palace and the police station around 2:00 a.m.
“The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the audacious attack launched by suspected bandits in the early hours of May 25, 2026, in Yashikira, Kaiama Local Government Area.
“The criminals attacked both the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira simultaneously. During the incident, part of the palace was set on fire while 10 persons were abducted to an unknown destination.
“However, police officers on duty successfully repelled the attack on the police station,” the statement read.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered a massive joint security operation involving the military, police, vigilantes, forest guards, and other stakeholders to rescue the victims and hunt down the attackers.
The police added that security operatives had already begun combing nearby forests and suspected hideouts while deployments had been strengthened across vulnerable communities.
The command assured residents that security agencies remained committed to dismantling criminal networks operating in the area and securing the release of all abducted victims.
“We remain fully prepared to confront these criminal elements with every lawful operational strategy available.
“All necessary resources will be deployed to flush them out, break their networks, rescue the abducted victims, and ensure justice is served,” the statement added.
Kwara North has witnessed rising insecurity in recent months, with frequent incidents of kidnappings, highway ambushes, attacks on communities, and assaults on traditional institutions across Kaiama, Baruten, Edu, and Patigi local government areas.
Among the major attacks recorded this year was the February 3, 2026 massacre in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, regarded as one of the deadliest incidents in the region.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area in Kwara State, Gabriel Awelewa, has imposed an indefinite ban on night vigils in worship centres located in remote communities across the council.
The decision followed a recent attack by gunmen on worshippers at Ori-Oke Ajaiye near Ikerin-Opin during a church vigil, where three persons were killed and 15 others abducted.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dada Sunday, the chairman urged religious organisations in isolated areas to move services to safer community centres and restrict daytime worship activities to not more than two hours.
Awelewa expressed concern that some religious centres continued to hold vigils in remote locations despite repeated security warnings conveyed through the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams.
“Faith should never be practised at the expense of human lives. We have consistently warned churches and mosques in isolated locations against organising vigils.
“Worship should uplift and protect people, not expose them to danger. No act of worship is more important than human life,” he said.
He described the recent church attack as another indication that insecurity thrives in vulnerable and unguarded locations.
According to him, the isolated hilltop location of the church delayed emergency intervention by security personnel.
“Help could not arrive quickly because the worshippers were in a remote area. That is the painful reality we must address,” the statement added.
The council chairman assured residents that efforts were ongoing in collaboration with the state government and security agencies to rescue the abducted worshippers and improve security surveillance across vulnerable communities.
monarch’s wives, children in Kwara, raze palace section, attack police station
Suspected bandits on Monday night invaded Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting three wives and four children of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki, after setting part of the palace ablaze.
The attack, which lasted from about midnight to 2:00 a.m., also targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters as heavily armed assailants stormed the border community, shooting sporadically to create panic among residents.
Sources in the area said the attackers overwhelmed security operatives stationed around the palace before gaining access to the inner chambers of the royal residence, where several members of the emir’s family were taken away.
A resident, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said confusion erupted across the community as residents fled in different directions to escape the gunfire.
“I just spoke with my father and he confirmed that three of the emir’s wives and four children were kidnapped alongside some residents. Many people sustained injuries while trying to escape, though we do not yet know the exact number,” the source said.
Another resident, Tukur Ahmed, disclosed that the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and headed straight for the palace.
“They rode into the town on motorcycles, shooting into the air before breaking into the inner part of the palace where the emir’s family members were staying.
“They abducted three wives and four children of the emir, as well as some residents, before burning vehicles in the palace and fleeing,” he said.
Residents said several vehicles within the palace premises were destroyed during the attack, with property losses running into millions of naira.
The traditional ruler was reportedly away from the palace when the incident occurred.
Confirming the attack, the Kwara State Police Command said 10 persons were abducted during the coordinated raid.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police condemned the assault, describing it as a daring operation carried out simultaneously on the palace and the police station around 2:00 a.m.
“The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the audacious attack launched by suspected bandits in the early hours of May 25, 2026, in Yashikira, Kaiama Local Government Area.
“The criminals attacked both the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira simultaneously. During the incident, part of the palace was set on fire while 10 persons were abducted to an unknown destination.
“However, police officers on duty successfully repelled the attack on the police station,” the statement read.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered a massive joint security operation involving the military, police, vigilantes, forest guards, and other stakeholders to rescue the victims and hunt down the attackers.
The police added that security operatives had already begun combing nearby forests and suspected hideouts while deployments had been strengthened across vulnerable communities.
The command assured residents that security agencies remained committed to dismantling criminal networks operating in the area and securing the release of all abducted victims.
“We remain fully prepared to confront these criminal elements with every lawful operational strategy available.
“All necessary resources will be deployed to flush them out, break their networks, rescue the abducted victims, and ensure justice is served,” the statement added.
Kwara North has witnessed rising insecurity in recent months, with frequent incidents of kidnappings, highway ambushes, attacks on communities, and assaults on traditional institutions across Kaiama, Baruten, Edu, and Patigi local government areas.
Among the major attacks recorded this year was the February 3, 2026 massacre in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA, regarded as one of the deadliest incidents in the region.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area in Kwara State, Gabriel Awelewa, has imposed an indefinite ban on night vigils in worship centres located in remote communities across the council.
The decision followed a recent attack by gunmen on worshippers at Ori-Oke Ajaiye near Ikerin-Opin during a church vigil, where three persons were killed and 15 others abducted.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dada Sunday, the chairman urged religious organisations in isolated areas to move services to safer community centres and restrict daytime worship activities to not more than two hours.
Awelewa expressed concern that some religious centres continued to hold vigils in remote locations despite repeated security warnings conveyed through the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams.
“Faith should never be practised at the expense of human lives. We have consistently warned churches and mosques in isolated locations against organising vigils.
“Worship should uplift and protect people, not expose them to danger. No act of worship is more important than human life,” he said.
He described the recent church attack as another indication that insecurity thrives in vulnerable and unguarded locations.
According to him, the isolated hilltop location of the church delayed emergency intervention by security personnel.
“Help could not arrive quickly because the worshippers were in a remote area. That is the painful reality we must address,” the statement added.
The council chairman assured residents that efforts were ongoing in collaboration with the state government and security agencies to rescue the abducted worshippers and improve security surveillance across vulnerable communities.
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