Kidnappers demand ₦450m ransom for Kwara monarch, son, others

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

According to local sources, the abductors are demanding ₦150 million for the release of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, who is a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The monarch and his son were kidnapped during a recent attack in the area.

In addition, the kidnappers are said to be demanding ₦300 million for the release of eight other persons abducted in Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, within the same local government area.

A family source of the monarch, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers made contact earlier in the day.

“The kidnappers contacted the family this afternoon and told us to bring N150 million to secure the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source said.

He lamented that the family had been traumatised since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.

“Since this incident happened, we have not been ourselves. We entered the new year with sorrow and tears. We are calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because we don’t know what to do,” he added.

The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demands to newsmen.

“Yes, it is true. The bandits contacted the family this afternoon and demanded N150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son. Only two days ago, N300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees,” he said.

Recall that bandits, on December 31, 2025, invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, storming the monarch’s palace around 8 pm.

A family source said about eight armed men attacked the palace, shooting sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.

“When they noticed we were locking doors and switching off lights, they started shooting. They broke the door with their guns and forced their way in,” the source said.

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

The source added that the attackers abducted the monarch and his son after overwhelming the community vigilante group.

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

Similarly, on Friday, December 26, 2025, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun LGA, abducting eight residents.

Residents told this newspaper that the attack occurred around 7 pm when the gunmen stormed the community in large numbers, firing sporadically as they moved from house to house and forcing residents into submission.

The twin abductions have heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and parts of Kwara South, which have recorded a surge in kidnappings in recent months.

In November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was abducted from his farm in the same local government area and held for weeks before regaining freedom after the payment of a ransom.

Efforts to get official comments from the Kwara State Police Command on the latest ransom demands were unsuccessful as of press time.

However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was not aware of any ransom demand by the abductors.

“We are not aware of any requests for ransom to free abducted persons in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has repeatedly stated that the payment of ransom encourages and emboldens criminal elements to intensify their nefarious activities.

“The police and other security agencies are working round the clock to rescue abducted persons and rid the state of criminal elements,” she said.

Residents of the affected communities have continued to appeal to the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security presence and ensure the safe release of all abducted victims.