Kidnappers Fix ₦450m Ransom for Kwara Monarch, Son, Eight Others

 

Kidnappers have demanded a total of ₦450 million for the release of a traditional ruler in Kwara State, his son and eight other abducted residents of Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The abductors are asking for ₦150 million to free the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Another ₦300 million ransom has reportedly been demanded for the release of eight residents kidnapped from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, in the same local government area.

A family source of the monarch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers made contact on Friday, barely two days after the abduction.

“The kidnappers reached out to the family this afternoon and demanded ₦150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source said.

The source lamented that the family had been thrown into distress since the incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.

“We entered the new year in tears and sorrow. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to help us because we don’t know what to do,” the source added.

Also confirming the development, the Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, said the ransom demands were genuine.

“Yes, it is true. The bandits demanded ₦150 million for the release of the monarch and his son. Earlier, they also demanded ₦300 million for the eight people abducted in Adanla,” he said.

It was gathered that gunmen invaded Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, storming the monarch’s palace around 8 p.m.

A family source said about eight armed men attacked the palace, firing sporadically and forcing their way into the building after residents locked their doors and switched off lights.

During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to a hospital for treatment.

The attackers reportedly overpowered the local vigilante group before abducting the monarch and his son.

“Only two vigilante members were on duty, and they could not withstand the firepower of the attackers,” the source said.

Similarly, on December 26, 2025, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community, abducting eight residents after moving from house to house and firing gunshots to instil fear.

The twin abductions have heightened anxiety over the worsening security situation in parts of Kwara South, including Ifelodun, Isin and Edu local government areas, which have witnessed a rise in kidnappings in recent months.

In November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was also abducted from his farm in the same area and later released after the payment of ransom.

Efforts to get official comments from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was not aware of any ransom demand.

She reiterated that the police and other security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue abducted persons and tackle criminal activities in the state.

Meanwhile, residents have continued to appeal to both the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security and ensure the safe release of all abducted victims.