Amnesty International demands rescue of abducted Kwara residents

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently rescue residents abducted from Yashikira community in Kwara State. Gunmen reportedly burned part of the Emir’s palace and took several people, including members of the royal household, during the attack on May 25, 2026. The rights organization condemned the incident, warning that it signifies deteriorating security in parts of northern Nigeria.

“

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.

"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 stated. The group highlighted the increasing vulnerability of rural communities to repeated armed assaults and abductions, noting that "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."

“

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.

The attack in Yashikira is part of a disturbing pattern, occurring just a day after a deadly assault on worshippers during a night vigil in Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, which resulted in killings and abductions. Amnesty International emphasized that the situation requires "urgent and sustained government intervention to prevent further deterioration."

“

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 Kwara State Police Command confirmed a coordinated midnight attack by suspected bandits on Yashikira. The attackers struck around 2:00 a.m., targeting both the Emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters. Police operatives repelled the attack on the station and have launched a large-scale tactical operation involving the military, police, vigilantes, and other security agencies to rescue the victims. The incident has intensified concerns over recurring attacks on rural communities in Kwara State, prompting rights groups to call for stronger preventive measures.

“

The Nigerian authorities must take urgent and concrete measures to protect lives and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.