Crime

Kidnappers Demand ₦450m for Release of Kwara Monarch, Son, Others

Published by admin on January 3rd, 2026.

Kidnappers Demand ₦450m for Release of Kwara Monarch, Son, Others

Kidnappers holding a traditional ruler, his son, and several other residents in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly asked for a combined ransom of ₦450 million to secure their freedom.

Sources close to the family of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, confirmed that the abductors are demanding ₦150 million for the monarch and his son, Olaolu, who is currently serving as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. In addition, another ₦300 million has been demanded for the release of eight residents earlier abducted from Adanla-Irese, a community near Igbaja.

A family member, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the kidnappers established contact on Friday. According to the source, the family has been devastated since the abduction, which occurred on the night of December 31, 2025.

“This new year has begun in deep sorrow for us. We are confused and overwhelmed, and we are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our rescue,” the source said.

The ransom demand was also confirmed by the Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, who stated that the abductors reached out to the families of the victims separately. He noted that while ₦150 million was requested for the monarch and his son, the eight Adanla victims were placed at ₦300 million just days earlier.

Reports indicate that armed men invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on New Year’s Eve, storming the monarch’s palace around 8 pm. Witnesses said the attackers fired gunshots to scare residents before forcing their way into the palace.

During the assault, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, sustained a gunshot injury to her arm and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The attackers later whisked away the monarch and his son after overpowering the local vigilante team, which reportedly had only two members on duty at the time.

In a related incident, suspected bandits had earlier struck Adanla community on December 26, 2025, abducting eight residents during a coordinated evening attack. The gunmen were said to have moved from house to house, firing sporadically before escaping with their victims.

The incidents have deepened fear across parts of Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and other areas of Kwara South, where cases of kidnapping have increased in recent months. In November 2025, another traditional ruler in the same local government area was abducted and later released after a ransom was reportedly paid.

Efforts to get an official response from the Kwara State Police Command regarding the ransom demands were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, reiterated the command’s stance against ransom payments, warning that such actions only encourage criminal activity. She assured that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue abducted victims and curb criminal operations in the state.

Meanwhile, residents of the affected communities have renewed calls on both state and federal authorities to urgently strengthen security and ensure the safe return of all those in captivity.