The Yashikira community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State was struck by a deadly and coordinated midnight assault by suspected bandits, targeting both the police divisional headquarters and the palace of the Emir. The attack, which unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, resulted in widespread panic, the abduction of several residents, and significant damage to the Emir's palace.

According to reports, the heavily armed attackers, equipped with sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 rifles and arriving on motorcycles, launched simultaneous assaults on the police station and the palace around 2:00 AM. A surviving police officer, present during the attack, provided a stark account that contradicted the official police narrative of successfully repelling the attack on the station. The officer revealed that security operatives were overwhelmed by the bandits' superior firepower, possessing only pistols against the terrorists' AK-47s. He stated that many officers were forced to take cover to save their lives, and the attackers were not "completely defeated" at the police station before proceeding to the Emir's palace.

The bandits operated with impunity at the Emir's palace for nearly an hour, during which they set parts of the palace ablaze, burning vehicles and damaging several rooms. This heartbreaking incident plunged the community into fear, sorrow, and distress. Approximately 10 to 12 individuals were abducted and taken to an unknown destination, including women, children, and some of the Emir's wives. Fortunately, the Emir of Yashikira himself managed to escape the attack unharmed, although confusion briefly spread within the palace during the invasion.

Residents have expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the region, lamenting that communities in border areas like those potentially encompassing or adjacent to Yashikira have repeatedly suffered from armed groups exploiting porous routes and difficult terrain. They have also accused security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated warnings regarding increasing bandit activities.

Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that suspected bandits had attacked both the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira. The command reported that part of the palace was set ablaze and ten persons were abducted. While maintaining that operatives successfully repelled the assault on the police station, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi has ordered a full-scale joint operation. This extensive operation involves personnel from the police, military, forest guards, and vigilantes, aiming to rescue the abducted victims, hunt down the attackers, dismantle their networks, and ensure they face justice.

The Police Command has reiterated its commitment not to succumb to threats or intimidation from criminal elements, declaring itself "battle-ready" and fully determined to confront these "enemies of peace." Security deployments have been reinforced across vulnerable communities, and intensive surveillance, intelligence gathering, and bush-combing operations are currently underway to prevent further attacks and ensure the safe return of all abducted victims.