Yashikira Palace Attack: Araba Condemns Assault, Renews Calls for State Police

Governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Engr. Femi Sanni, popularly known as Araba, has condemned the recent attack on the palace of the Emir of Yashikira in Kaiama Local Government Area, describing the incident as barbaric and unacceptable.

Araba, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed shock over the assault on the community, which reportedly led to abductions and destruction of property.
He sympathised with the Emir of Yashikira, affected families and residents of the community, saying the attack further highlighted the growing insecurity confronting rural communities across the country.

The governorship hopeful said the incident reinforced the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen its security architecture through the establishment of State Police and stronger subnational security structures.

According to him, the current centralised policing system has become overstretched and incapable of responding effectively to emerging local security threats.

“For years, I have consistently advocated for the establishment of State Police and the strengthening of subnational security frameworks that will allow states and local communities play more active and rapid-response roles in protecting lives and property,” he said.

Araba added that communities understand their terrains and peculiar security challenges better, stressing that empowering states with constitutionally backed policing structures would improve intelligence gathering and response time.
He called on security agencies to ensure the rescue of all abducted victims and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

The attack on Yashikira reportedly involved armed men who invaded the Emir’s palace and parts of the community in the early hours, worsening concerns over insecurity in parts of Kwara North.