According to a report by Channels Television on Monday, 25 May, 2026, In a brazen and deeply disturbing midnight assault that has sent shockwaves across Kwara State, suspected bandits have invaded the ancient Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area, torching parts of the Emir’s palace and kidnapping several residents including women, children, and members of the royal household.…....
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, May 25, 2026, has left residents gripped by panic and fear, with many fleeing into surrounding bushes as heavy gunfire shattered the night’s silence.
Eyewitnesses described how heavily armed assailants stormed the community around 12:40 a.m., launching a coordinated assault that targeted both the Emir’s palace and a nearby police station.
According to multiple reports, the gunmen set sections of the royal palace on fire, damaging rooms and burning vehicles within the compound before whisking away their victims.
Sources indicate that approximately 10 people were abducted, with some accounts specifically mentioning the Emir’s wives and other royal family members among those taken.
A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted the terror: “The bandits invaded the town at night and attacked the palace.
They burned parts of the palace and kidnapped many people, including women, children, and the Emir’s wives.”
The scale and precision of the operation suggest the attackers had detailed knowledge of the community’s layout and vulnerabilities.
Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident. Spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi noted that the criminals simultaneously hit the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace.
While officers reportedly repelled the assault on the station, they could not prevent the arson and abductions at the royal residence.
Security forces have since launched a robust rescue operation.
Military and police operatives have cordoned off the area and are working with local vigilantes in a joint manhunt to track down the kidnappers and free the hostages.
As of the latest updates, no ransom demands have been publicly reported, and the exact number of victims remains under verification amid the chaos.
