Amnesty International demands rescue of abducted Kwara residents

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Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently rescue residents abducted during the attack on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen reportedly burned part of the Emir’s palace and abducted several people, including members of the royal household.

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In a statement on Monday, the rights organisation condemned the attack, which occurred on 25 May 2026, warning that the incident reflects worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.

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“Nigerian authorities must immediately ensure the safe rescue of all abducted persons, strengthen security in vulnerable communities, and carry out prompt, impartial and effective investigations to bring those responsible to justice,” Amnesty International said.

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The group said the attack highlights the growing vulnerability of rural communities to repeated armed assaults and abductions.

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“The repeated violence in Kwara State and other parts of Northern Nigeria continues to leave rural communities exposed to abductions, killings, and destruction of property,” it said.

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Amnesty further warned that the latest incident is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks in the state.

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“The attack is coming barely 24 hours after the deadly attack on worshippers during a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, where several people were killed, and others abducted,” the organisation said.

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It added that the situation demands urgent and sustained government intervention to prevent further deterioration.

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“The Nigerian authorities must take urgent and concrete measures to protect lives and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities,” it said.

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The Kwara State Police Command had earlier confirmed that suspected bandits launched a coordinated midnight attack on the Yashikira community, burning part of the Emir’s palace and abducting 10 people, including members of the traditional ruler’s household.n

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According to the police, the attackers struck at about 2:00 a.m. in a simultaneous assault on the Emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters, describing it as a “coordinated and desperate operation.”

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The command said operatives successfully repelled the attack on the police station and have since launched a full-scale tactical operation involving the military, police, vigilantes, and other security agencies to rescue the victims.

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As operations continue, the incident has intensified concerns over recurring attacks on rural communities in Kwara State, with rights groups warning of deepening insecurity and calling for stronger preventive measures.

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