Armed assailants stormed the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State in the early hours of Sunday, abducting 10 persons and setting parts of the royal residence on fire. The Kwara State Police Command said the incident took place at about 2 a.m. and described it as a coordinated strike.

Officers stationed at the divisional headquarters fought off the attackers and prevented a breach of the facility. The gunmen, however, gained entry into the Emir’s palace, where they torched sections of the building before taking 10 residents to an undisclosed location. Community sources said two of those taken are wives of the traditional ruler.

In a statement, police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the assault and termed it a desperate, well-planned operation by armed criminals. She added that the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed an intelligence-led joint response involving the Police, Military, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and other security agencies. The teams are currently searching forests and known criminal enclaves to secure the release of the victims and apprehend those responsible.

Commissioner Adekimi said the perpetrators had chosen to target peaceful citizens and vowed that the command would use all available resources to break up their network and ensure they face the law. Security operatives have since commenced sweeping operations across suspected hideouts around Yashikira.

The incident follows another violent attack in Kwara State last Friday in Ekiti Local Government Area, where gunmen invaded a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three worshippers and taking 15 others. The police have deployed tactical units, including drone teams and mobile force personnel, to locate the abducted persons and pursue the attackers in that case.

Investigators have not established a link between the two attacks. Security agencies say efforts to rescue the victims and restore calm in the affected communities are ongoing.