Kidnappers have 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 sources, 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. An additional ₦300 million ransom has been demanded for the release of eight other residents kidnapped in Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja.
A family source of the monarch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers made contact earlier on Friday.
“The kidnappers reached out to the family this afternoon and demanded ₦150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source said.
He described the family’s ordeal as traumatic, noting that the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, had plunged them into deep distress.
“Since this happened, we have not been ourselves. We entered the new year in sorrow and tears. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to help us 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, saying the kidnappers had contacted the affected families.
“Yes, it is true. The bandits demanded ₦150 million for the monarch and his son. Just two days ago, they demanded ₦300 million for the release of the Adanla abductees,” he said.
The monarch was abducted on December 31, 2025, when gunmen invaded Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA. The attackers reportedly stormed the palace around 8 p.m.
A family member said about eight armed men carried out the attack, firing gunshots and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.
“When they noticed doors were being locked and lights switched off, they began shooting. They forced their way in by breaking the door,” the source said.
During the incident, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to hospital for treatment. The attackers eventually abducted the monarch and his son after overpowering the local vigilante group.
“Only two vigilante members were on duty, and they could not match the firepower of the attackers,” the source added.
In a related incident, suspected bandits had on December 26, 2025, invaded Adanla community in the same local government area and abducted eight residents. Witnesses said the attackers arrived in large numbers around 7 p.m., firing gunshots as they moved from house to house and forcing residents to submit.
These incidents have heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and parts of Kwara South, where kidnappings have increased in recent months.
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In November 2025, another traditional ruler in the area, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was abducted from his farm and held for weeks before regaining freedom after a ransom was paid.
When contacted, the Kwara State Police Command said it was not aware of any ransom demand. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, reiterated that the payment of ransom encourages criminal activity.
She said security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue abducted persons and curb criminal activities in the state.
Meanwhile, residents of the affected communities have continued to call on the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security and ensure the safe release of all those abducted.
