Kwara abductions: Kidnappers demand N450m ransom for Monarch, son, others

By Johnson Arua

Gunmen who abducted a traditional ruler in Kwara State, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, the Oniwo of Aafin, his son, and several other residents have demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release, raising fresh concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Kwara South.

It was reliably gathered on Friday that the abductors are demanding N150 million for the release of the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, while an additional N300 million has been placed on the release of eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the ransom demands in an interview with journalists.

He disclosed that negotiations were ongoing for the release of both the monarch and the other abducted residents.

“Only two days ago, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the Adanla abductees. Today, they demanded N150 million for the monarch and his son,” Zubair said.

The abduction of the Oniwo of Aafin reportedly occurred on Wednesday night, December 31, 2025, when armed men stormed the royal palace in Aafin community, Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, at about 8pm.

Eyewitnesses said about eight gunmen invaded the palace, firing sporadically before forcing their way inside.

A family source said the attackers demanded to see the monarch and his wife during the raid. In the process, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, sustained a gunshot injury to her arm and was later taken to a hospital for treatment.

The assailants subsequently whisked away the monarch and his son, as the local vigilante group on duty was reportedly overwhelmed.

Sources disclosed that only two vigilante members were present at the palace at the time and were unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.

In a related development, suspected bandits had earlier, on Friday, December 26, 2025, invaded Adanla community in Ifelodun LGA, abducting eight residents during a late-evening attack. Residents said the assailants stormed the agrarian community around 7pm, firing shots as they moved from house to house and forcing residents to comply.

Meanwhile, two other abductees in neighbouring Owa-Onire community—a palace maid and another resident—are reportedly still in captivity, with their abductors demanding N10 million, while the community is said to be offering N1 million.

As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the ransom demands.

Community leaders and residents have continued to appeal to both state and federal authorities to intensify security operations and ensure the safe release of all abducted persons.