THE Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of at least 10 persons and set ablaze sections of the palace of the Emir of Yashikira community in Baruten Local Council early on Sunday, May 24.
The Command, in a statement on Monday, May 25, explained that the attackers struck around 2 a.m., in what it described as a coordinated assault, adding that Police officers on duty repelled the gunmen when they attempted to overrun the divisional headquarters.
It stated that the kidnapped residents were taken to an unknown location.
The statement quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, as saying that security forces had launched a joint operation involving the military, forest guards and local vigilantes to comb nearby forests and suspected hideouts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.
In a related development, bandits has earlier attacked a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Council of the state late on Friday, May 22, firing indiscriminately at Christian worshippers holding a vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, killing three people on the spot and abducting 15 others.
The Command said the incident was reported by a local pastor, who said the attackers stormed the gathering about 8:30 p.m., shooting sporadically before taking victims away.
It assured that tactical teams, including a drone unit and specialised mobile force personnel, had been deployed on a search-and-rescue mission and to track down the attackers.
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