Kidnappers have demanded a total of ₦450 million for the release of a traditional ruler in Kwara State, his son, and several other residents abducted in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Sources close to the palace confirmed that the abductors are asking for ₦150 million to free the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, who is currently serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corps. In a related case, the kidnappers are demanding an additional ₦300 million for the release of eight residents seized from Adanla-Irese, a community near Igbaja.
A family member of the monarch, who spoke anonymously, said the kidnappers contacted them earlier on Friday with the ransom demand. According to the source, the family has been devastated since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, and is appealing to the government and security agencies for urgent assistance.
The ransom demand was also confirmed by the Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair. He stated that while ₦150 million was requested for the monarch and his son, the abductors had earlier demanded ₦300 million for the release of the Adanla victims.
Reports indicate that the attack on the Aafin community took place on December 31, 2025, when armed men stormed the monarch’s palace around 8:00 p.m. A source said about eight gunmen invaded the palace, firing shots and forcing their way inside after residents attempted to secure the building.
During the incident, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, sustained a gunshot wound to her arm and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The attackers reportedly overpowered the local vigilante group, which had only two members on duty at the time, before abducting the monarch and his son.
In a separate incident, suspected bandits attacked Adanla community on December 26, 2025, abducting eight residents after invading the area in large numbers and shooting sporadically as they moved from house to house.
These abductions have intensified concerns over growing insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and other areas in Kwara South, where kidnapping cases 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 obtain official comments from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command had no knowledge of any ransom demand, reiterating that paying ransom encourages criminal activity. She added that security agencies are working continuously to rescue abducted victims and restore safety in the state.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to call on both state and federal authorities to strengthen security and ensure the safe return of all those abducted.
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