Kwara terror attack sparks controversy as a palace source alleges police abandoned their station during a deadly assault in Yashikira

A source within the palace of the Emir of Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State has alleged that police officers abandoned their divisional headquarters during a midnight terrorist attack on the community, contradicting an official account by the state police command that officers successfully repelled the assault.

Also read: Breaking: fear grips Kwara as gunmen launch brutal midnight attack, kidnap 10 residents

The allegation emerged after suspected terrorists attacked Yashikira in the early hours of Sunday, targeting both the Emir’s palace and the police divisional headquarters in what authorities described as a coordinated operation.

According to the palace source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the attackers arrived heavily armed and encountered little resistance after security personnel allegedly fled their positions.

The source claimed that the assailants subsequently entered the police station and carted away several AK-47 rifles left behind by officers.

“Immediately the police heard about them coming, the policemen had to vacate and abandon the police station,” the source alleged.

“The police abandoned the police station; the bandits entered the police station and took away all the AK-47s there.”

The source further disputed claims that officers fought back during the incident, insisting that no meaningful resistance was mounted against the attackers.

“Yes, they entered the police station and took away all their weapons because the police abandoned their posts,” the source added.

The allegations present a stark contrast to the position of the Kwara State Police Command, which stated that officers on duty successfully defended the divisional headquarters from the attack.

In an earlier statement, police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that armed assailants attacked Yashikira at about 2 a.m., targeting both the Emir’s palace and the police station.

The command said the attackers set parts of the palace ablaze and abducted 10 residents during the operation.

“The armed criminals, in a coordinated and desperate assault at about 0200hrs, simultaneously attacked the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira,” the statement said.

“However, the attack on the police station was successfully repelled by police operatives on duty.”

The police described the incident as a cowardly attack and disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, had ordered an intensive tactical operation to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.

Authorities said security operations had since been expanded across vulnerable communities in Baruten Local Government Area, including intelligence-driven patrols and bush-combing exercises aimed at restoring confidence among residents.

However, the palace source maintained that the official account did not accurately reflect events on the ground, alleging that the attackers operated freely after reaching the police facility.

The conflicting narratives have intensified questions surrounding the Kwara Terror Attack and the circumstances under which the assailants were able to strike both the royal residence and security installations within the community.

Efforts to obtain further comments from the police command on the fresh allegations were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson reportedly did not respond to calls or text messages seeking clarification.

Also read: Bandits kill three, abduct 15 during Kwara vigil

The incident has heightened concerns over security in border communities across Kwara State, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger protection against armed groups operating in remote areas.