The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, has reportedly been released after he was abducted by gunmen alongside his son in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A source who spoke with SaharaReporters on Thursday disclosed that the monarch regained his freedom after a ransom was paid to his captors. However, the exact amount paid was not made public.
The development comes days after reports confirmed that the monarch’s son, Olaolu Olanipekun, who is currently serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was released after the family allegedly paid N20 million.
Olaolu was freed on Monday after spending several days in captivity. He was reportedly dropped at a herders’ settlement around Oreke, also within Ifelodun LGA, before he was taken to a nearby military base. Security personnel later contacted his family, who came to pick him up.
Following his release, Olaolu was said to have been taken to a hospital for medical care due to physical weakness and emotional trauma suffered during the ordeal.
Despite releasing the young man, the kidnappers reportedly continued to hold Oba Olanipekun and other victims seized during the same incident. Reports further revealed that the abductors later increased pressure on the community and demanded an additional N15 million for the monarch and other captives.
The monarch was abducted on the night of December 31, 2025, at about 8:00 p.m., when armed men stormed his palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers fired sporadically, forced their way into the palace after breaking doors, and demanded to see the monarch. During the attack, the queen consort, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped being taken away. She was later rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A palace source narrated that the gunmen also found Olaolu hiding and abducted him alongside his father.
At least 10 relatives and visitors were said to have been inside the palace at the time, but the local vigilante unit, reportedly made up of only two men on duty, was unable to resist the heavily armed attackers.
The latest report confirms that the traditional ruler has now regained freedom after days in captivity, bringing relief to the royal family and residents of the community.
