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Over 30 Kwara Kings Flee as Insecurity Forces Mass Displacement

Published by admin on April 25th, 2026.

Over 30 Kwara Kings Flee as Insecurity Forces Mass Displacement

No fewer than 30 traditional rulers in the southern part of Kwara State have abandoned their palaces due to rising cases of kidnapping, killings, and violent attacks. Many of them have moved to safer cities such as Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos.

Reports from community sources show that the affected rulers come from towns like Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Olohuntele, and Alabe. While some have stayed away for several months, others have been gone for almost one year. Their absence has left many communities without proper leadership.

A resident of Omugo explained that their king, known as the Eesa, fled because of fear of being kidnapped. He said that in the past, traditional rulers lived among the people and played key roles during crises, but now they only visit briefly for meetings before leaving again. According to him, frequent attacks made it unsafe for them to remain in their palaces.

He also recalled a major attack in March 2026, when gunmen invaded a church and kidnapped about 8 people. After that incident, many residents fled their homes out of fear. Although there has been slight improvement in security, the lack of strong leadership is still affecting recovery in the area.

Communities like Oreke and Oreke Oke Igbo have been largely deserted since June 2025 due to repeated attacks. In one incident on June 4, 2025, 2 police officers were killed during an attack near a mining site. A resident said the violence began with theft but later escalated to kidnappings and killings, forcing people to leave. Today, those areas are nearly empty, and social and economic activities have stopped.

In Afin, the traditional ruler has not returned since he was kidnapped alongside his son at the end of December 2025. While the son was released after about 21 days, the monarch regained freedom after nearly one month in captivity following a ransom payment.

Across the affected communities, farming, schooling, and trading have been seriously disrupted as residents move to safer places. In a recent incident in Olayinka community, gunmen attacked a palace and abducted 3 people, the king, his wife, and another resident. Reports indicate that about 42 suspects were later arrested, while the kidnappers demanded a ransom running into hundreds of millions of naira.

There have also been cases where traditional rulers were killed. In some communities, kings were attacked in their palaces or kidnapped while working on their farms. Ransom demands in such cases have ranged from about 40 million naira to 400 million naira.

Local leaders say the crisis is worsening, with more than 28 communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area reportedly abandoned. Farmers are afraid to return to their land, which is affecting food production. Some displaced residents say they cannot continue their businesses because it is too dangerous to go back.

There are growing concerns about how traditional institutions are responding to the crisis. While some say discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, others believe stronger and more visible action is needed.

Some community members blame the insecurity on weak local systems, illegal mining, and the decline of traditional protection methods. Others believe better cooperation between security agencies and local vigilante groups is necessary.

Vigilante members say they are doing their best but are outgunned by criminals who have more advanced weapons. They are calling for better equipment and stronger government support.

Overall, the crisis has severely disrupted life in many communities, affecting farming, trade, and daily activities. Experts warn that when traditional rulers are no longer safe, it shows a serious breakdown of security and authority in the region.