Armed groups carried out two devastating attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara state over the weekend, resulting in three deaths and the kidnapping of 25 people, according to local authorities.
The first assault occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday morning in Yashikira, located in the Baruten local government area close to Nigeria’s northwestern border. Police described the incident as a well-planned coordinated strike.
Armed attackers targeted the police divisional headquarters, but officers successfully fought off the assault, according to a statement from the Kwara State Police Command. However, during the same operation, the gunmen torched portions of the Emir of Yashikira’s palace and kidnapped 10 local residents before fleeing to parts unknown.
Police Commissioner Ojo Adekimi announced that security forces have initiated a comprehensive search operation combining military personnel, forest guards and local vigilantes. The mission focuses on combing through nearby wooded areas and suspected criminal hideouts to free the hostages and capture the perpetrators.
In a separate incident, authorities confirmed another attack occurred late Friday in the Ekiti local government area. Gunmen opened fire on worshippers conducting an overnight prayer vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three people and taking 15 others captive.
A local pastor reported the Friday night assault, stating the attackers invaded the religious gathering around 8:30 p.m., firing randomly before forcing victims to leave with them.
Law enforcement officials said they have deployed specialized tactical units, including drone operators and mobile force specialists, to conduct rescue missions and pursue the attackers.
Kwara state, situated in Nigeria’s north-central area, has increasingly experienced violence from armed criminal organizations locally known as bandits in recent years. These groups typically operate throughout forested border territories and frequently engage in kidnapping schemes to collect ransom payments.
