ILORIN: Kidnappers have demanded a total of ₦450 million for the release of a Kwara State traditional ruler, his son, and other residents abducted in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The abductors are demanding ₦150 million for the release of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, while an additional ₦300 million has been demanded for the release of eight residents abducted in Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja.
A family source of the monarch, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers contacted them on Friday.
The kidnappers reached out 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 traumatised since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.
We entered the new year with sorrow and tears. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our aid because we don’t know what to do, the source added.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demands.
Yes, it is true. The bandits demanded ₦150 million for the monarch and his son. Only two days earlier, ₦300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees, he said.
Gunmen reportedly invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, storming the monarch’s palace around 8pm.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and rushed to a hospital for treatment.
The attackers reportedly overpowered the community vigilante group before abducting the monarch and his son.
Similarly, on December 26, 2025, suspected bandits abducted eight residents during a separate attack on Adanla community, firing sporadically and forcing residents into submission.
The incidents have heightened fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and areas of Kwara South, which have witnessed a surge 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 local government area and later released after ransom payment.
Efforts to obtain 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 discourage ransom payments, noting that security agencies are working to rescue abducted victims and curb criminal activities in the state.
Residents have continued to call on the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security and ensure the safe release of all abducted persons.
