Gunmen Kidnap 10 People From Emir’s Palace In Kwara

Gunmen have abducted 10 people from the palace of the Yashikira Emir in Baruten LGA of Kwara State.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

According to the police, the attackers launched a coordinated operation around 2 a.m. on Monday, targeting both the emir’s palace and the police divisional headquarters in Yashikira at the same time.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.”

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has since ordered a large-scale security operation involving the police, military, forest guards, and local vigilantes.

The teams have been deployed to search nearby forests and suspected hideouts in a bid to rescue the victims safely.

He stressed that the police will not give in to threats or intimidation from criminal groups operating in the state, adding that all available resources would be used to track down those responsible.

“The command remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these enemies of peace with every lawful operational asset and strategy at its disposal,” he said.

“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 police assured residents of Yashikira, Baruten LGA, and other parts of the state that security presence has been strengthened, with increased surveillance and ongoing search operations in vulnerable areas.

KanyiDaily recalls that gunmen recently attacked a police station in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State, killing three officers.