EXCLUSIVE: Abducted Emir’s Wives Face Forced Marriage By Terrorists
Residents of Yashikira community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have been thrown into fresh anxiety following reports that terrorists holding some wives of the Emir of Yashikira and other residents captive have threatened to forcibly marry off the women if ransom demands are not met.
Security sources involved in rescue and negotiation efforts disclosed that the abductors issued the threat after expressing frustration over delays in the payment of ransom for the victims, who were kidnapped during a deadly attack on the Emir’s palace and the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters.
According to the sources, the terrorists are demanding approximately N150 million for the release of the abductees, an amount estimated at about N15 million per victim.
A security source familiar with the negotiations said information about the threat was conveyed through contacts linked to ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.
“The terrorists have threatened that if the ransom is not paid, they will marry off the Emir’s wives and other female victims to their commanders,” the source said.
“The ransom being demanded is around N150 million. The information came through a source close to the palace who is part of the team working to secure the release of the abductees.”
The source added that local vigilantes and security personnel engaged in intelligence gathering had been informed of the development, heightening fears among relatives of the victims and members of the community.
“The information was passed to vigilantes and security personnel through channels connected to the rescue efforts. Everyone is worried because the abductors appear to be increasing pressure on the families and the community,” the source added.
The threat comes days after heavily armed terrorists launched a coordinated attack on Yashikira community, leaving part of the Emir’s palace destroyed and several residents abducted.
The attackers reportedly struck the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Emir’s palace simultaneously in the early hours of May 24, 2026.
A police officer who survived the assault said the terrorists were better armed than security operatives stationed in the area and quickly overwhelmed them before advancing to the palace.
“The terrorists attacked the police station with the intention of killing all of us. They had more sophisticated weapons than we did and overpowered us before invading the Emir’s palace,” the officer said.
The officer disclosed that many policemen on duty were equipped mainly with pistols, while the attackers carried AK-47 rifles and arrived on motorcycles, giving them a significant tactical advantage.
According to him, the terrorists remained at the palace for nearly an hour after subduing security personnel, during which they abducted several victims, including some of the Emir’s wives and children.
Residents also reported that the attackers set parts of the palace ablaze, burnt vehicles, and vandalised several rooms before fleeing with their captives.
The Kwara State Police Command later confirmed the attack, stating that 10 persons were abducted during the raid and that sections of the Emir’s palace were set on fire. Authorities have continued efforts to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
