The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed what it calls a coordinated attack by suspected bandits on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, during which ten residents were abducted and part of the Emir’s palace set ablaze.
But, the Police authorities have condemned the incident, describing it as cowardly.
A Press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the heavily armed attackers stormed the sleepy community at about 2 a.m. on Sunday, simultaneously targeting the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira.
The Command stated that Police operatives on duty successfully repelled the assault on the Divisional headquarters, forcing the assailants to retreat from the facility.
However, the hoodlums reportedly set a section of the Emir’s palace on fire and abducted ten residents, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, ordered an immediate full-scale tactical operation involving the Police, Military, Forest Guards, Vigilantes, and other security Agencies to comb surrounding forests and suspected criminal hideouts, with a view to rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators.
The Kwara Police boss assured residents that the Command remains battle-ready and would not succumb to threats or intimidation from criminal elements.
He vowed that security operatives would relentlessly pursue the attackers, dismantle their networks, and ensure all those behind the attack are brought to justice.
The Command added that surveillance, intelligence gathering, and aggressive bush-combing operations have been intensified across vulnerable communities in Baruten Local Government Area and other parts of the state to forestall further attacks and restore public confidence.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
