The Emir of Yashikira in Kwara North Senatorial District, Alhaji Umar Seriki Usman, has confirmed that seven members of his royal household were finally freed on Wednesday, ending a harrowing ordeal that began when armed bandits stormed his palace earlier this year.
Speaking with DAILY POST on Friday, the monarch revealed that three of his wives and four of his children were among those released. The breakthrough, he said, came only after sustained public pressure, particularly from community youths who staged a press conference in Abuja to draw the federal government’s attention to the worsening situation in Yashikira.
“We thank God and appreciate the federal and state governments for the release of the abductees,” the Emir said. He noted that while Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had made representations to the federal government, those efforts initially stalled. It was the youths’ vocal advocacy in the capital that finally moved the needle, forcing officials to act on the ground.
When pressed on whether a ransom was paid, the Emir was careful with his words. He said he could not confirm any payment, but acknowledged that the release was far from free. The bandits had initially demanded a staggering N150 million for each captive, he explained, and notably, there were no reports of gunfire exchanged before the hostages were let go.
Despite the relief, the Emir remains deeply uneasy. He appealed to authorities to secure the community, warning that the bandits are still active in the area. “We are all happy about the development, but nobody feels secure because they are still with us and we don’t know them,” he added, capturing the lingering fear that shadows the joy of reunion.
