Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected bandits have again struck Kwara State, this time targeting a border community in the Baruten Local Government Area. In a late-night operation on Sunday, May 24, 2026, heavily armed assailants stormed the town of Yashikira, set the palace of the Emir on fire, and abducted multiple residents, including several of the monarch’s wives and children, multiple sources confirmed on Monday. The attack, which began around 11 pm, threw the entire border community into confusion as the gunmen overpowered local vigilantes and operated for hours without resistance, forcing terrified villagers to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
According to residents who spoke to SaharaReporters and Channels Television, the attackers, who arrived in large numbers armed with sophisticated weapons, first headed for the palace of the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umaru Usman Sarki Sabi-Kpasi II. The assailants set parts of the royal residence ablaze, fired sporadically into the air, and then began whisking away victims from the palace and nearby homes. “Bandits invaded Yashikira in the night. They set the palace on fire and kidnapped women and children, including the Emir’s wives,” a resident told SaharaReporters. Another source said the attackers specifically targeted the palace and surrounding residences, operating with a level of coordination that suggested prior reconnaissance.
The armed gang also reportedly attempted to raid the local police stations in the area, but military and police operatives on the ground managed to repel that part of the assault. However, the main kidnapping operation continued unabated. Witnesses said the gunmen combed through the community, rounding up victims and loading them into vehicles before disappearing into the bush along the porous border routes that have long made the region a haven for criminal groups. “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,” another source told SaharaReporters.
The exact number of abducted persons remained uncertain on Monday morning, but Tribune Online and Channels Television both reported that at least 10 persons were taken during the overnight operation. In contrast, other sources indicated that the number could be higher, as families continued to search for missing relatives in the aftermath of the attack. “The community is in total confusion. As we speak, we do not know exactly how many people were taken,” a resident said. The attackers also caused extensive damage to property, burning parts of the palace and several nearby homes before withdrawing.
Security forces have since launched immediate rescue operations. Military and police operatives have established a cordon in the area and have begun combing the surrounding forests in search of the victims and the fleeing assailants. A government source who confirmed the incident to Tribune Online said that “military and police operatives have established a cordon in the area as part of the efforts to rescue about 10 persons who were reportedly taken from the community in an overnight attack on the palace of the Emir of Yashikira.” The Nigerian Army and Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, and the Kwara State Government has remained silent on the matter as of Monday afternoon.
The attack on Yashikira came just hours after another deadly assault on a religious gathering in the state. On Saturday night, suspected bandits invaded a prayer ground at Ori‑Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil. The two attacks, occurring within 24 hours of each other, have deepened anxiety across the state and renewed calls for urgent government intervention in the region. Kwara State has experienced a surge in bandit attacks in recent months, with the Woro community massacre in February 2026, which left over 150 people dead and 176 others abducted, still fresh in the collective memory of residents.
Local residents have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a failure by security agencies to protect vulnerable border communities. They have repeatedly warned about the increasing bandit activities in surrounding villages and have called for the establishment of a permanent military presence in the area. The porous border routes around Baruten LGA, which connect Kwara State to neighbouring Benin Republic and other parts of Nigeria, have long been exploited by criminal groups for smuggling, kidnapping and cattle rustling. Residents accused security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated warnings, and said that the attack could have been prevented had the government acted on earlier intelligence.
The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umaru Usman Sarki Sabi-Kpasi II, was not reported to have been harmed, but the psychological impact of having his palace set ablaze and his family members taken from his home is incalculable. The traditional ruler, who is the custodian of the community’s cultural and administrative authority, has not yet commented publicly on the attack. The palace, a symbol of authority and community identity, now lies partially in ruins, a stark reminder of the audacity of the criminal gangs operating in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, the police and military had not released any official statement on the incident, and the exact number of abducted victims remained unconfirmed. Authorities have, however, assured the public that rescue operations are ongoing and that efforts are being made to apprehend the perpetrators. The Kwara State Government has yet to issue any official statement regarding the attack, and calls to the state police spokesperson were not answered. For the people of Yashikira and the wider Baruten LGA, the wait for justice and security continues.
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