Bandits Raid Emir’s Palace in Kwara, Set It Ablaze and Kidnap His Wife and Children

     Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

In the early hours of Sunday, approximately 15 suspected bandits entered the historic town of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. They set fire to the emir’s palace, abducted the emir’s wife, children, other women, and several residents of the community.

According to THISDAY checks, the attack occurred while most townspeople were asleep.

Witnesses say the gunmen stormed the town, firing sporadically before targeting the palace and nearby houses.

They reportedly overpowered local vigilantes and operated for hours without resistance, as frightened residents fled into nearby bushes for safety.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers first struck the palace, setting parts of the building ablaze before taking multiple victims.

A local source told newsmen in Ilorin on Monday: “The suspected bandits invaded Yashikira at night. They set the palace on fire and kidnapped women and children, including the emir’s wives.”

Another source said the assault threw the entire community into confusion as families searched for missing relatives after the assailants left the area. “The attackers came in large numbers with sophisticated weapons. People were running in different directions. Many residents escaped into the bush while the bandits carried away several persons,” the source added.

Some residents who spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Monday expressed frustration over the growing insecurity in the area. They alleged that communities in Baruten LGA have repeatedly suffered attacks from armed groups due to porous border routes around the region and accused security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated warnings about increasing bandit activity in surrounding villages.

A senior police officer at the Baruten Divisional Police Headquarters in Kosubosu, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident. He said: “We have sent a signal to the state police headquarters in Ilorin and we have commenced a manhunt for the suspected bandits.”

He urged residents to remain calm, noting that all efforts are underway to ensure the rescue of the victims.