Yashikira Palace Source Accuses Soldiers of Abandoning Community During Terror Attack, Alleging Extortion at Checkpoint
A palace source in Yashikira, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has accused Nigerian soldiers stationed at Chikanda checkpoint of failing to respond during a recent terrorist attack on the community. The source, speaking to SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening, claimed that repeated distress calls to the military personnel went unheeded as terrorists invaded the Emir's palace, set parts of it ablaze, and abducted several residents. The soldiers allegedly claimed they were under attack themselves, a statement the source dismissed as false. "And the soldiers who are stationed at the Chikanda refused to come for aide, saying they too are attacked, where it is a lie to run away from facing these terrorists," the source said.
The soldiers only arrived in Yashikira hours after the attackers had fled, according to the source. "It was later in the morning that they came, arriving only after the terrorists had already left." The source alleged the soldiers had pretended to be under attack to avoid confrontation, adding that their weapons had not been fired in a long time. It was further claimed that the soldiers were more focused on collecting 100 naira from passing motorists than carrying out security duties. "The soldiers are not ready to fight. They are only stationed at the checkpoint to be collecting N100 from the motorists that are passing by. They are busy doing that while the emirate was being attacked."
Earlier, a separate palace source had alleged that police officers at the Yashikira Divisional Headquarters fled before the attackers arrived, leaving behind AK-47 rifles later taken by the assailants. The Kwara State Police Command described the incident as a "cowardly and audacious" assault at about 2:00 a.m., maintaining that officers repelled the attack on the police station while the terrorists targeted the palace. The Command said tactical operations had been launched across Baruten to rescue victims and track down the attackers.
The soldiers stationed at Chikanda claimed they were under attack while Yashikira was being overrun, yet arrived only after the terrorists had left and were allegedly extorting 100 naira from motorists. Their failure to respond contradicts their deployment purpose, leaving residents vulnerable and weapons in bandit hands. If soldiers are collecting tolls instead of confronting armed assailants, their presence serves no security function. This undermines public trust in military deployments meant to protect rural communities.
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