Residents of Yashikira community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Monday as armed bandits invaded the town, attacking the Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the Emir of Yashikira.
The attackers, said to be heavily armed, reportedly abducted no fewer than 10 residents during the coordinated assault.
Sources within the community disclosed that the gunmen stormed the area in large numbers, firing sporadically and overpowering security operatives stationed in the community.
A surviving police officer, who spoke on the incident, revealed that the attackers possessed sophisticated weapons and superior firepower, which overwhelmed security personnel during the confrontation.
According to the officer, security operatives engaged the assailants in a gun duel but were unable to withstand the intensity of the attack due to the weapons deployed by the bandits.
The incident reportedly left many residents traumatised, while several families are still awaiting information about the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday held another meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, over strategies to strengthen security and public safety across the state.
The meeting came in the wake of recent attacks in Ekiti and Yashikira communities within the last 24 hours.
In a related development, the police authorities also deployed additional tactical squads to parts of the state to neutralise emerging security threats and restore confidence among residents.
The latest attack has further heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in parts of the country, especially attacks targeting rural communities and traditional institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies were continuing efforts to rescue the abducted victims and restore calm to the affected communities.
