Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ILORIN, NIGERIA — Suspected terrorists have reportedly attacked the palace of the Aafin of Aafin Community in Ile-Ere, within the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, shooting the queen and abducting the monarch and one of his sons late on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The assault has intensified fears over mounting insecurity in parts of Kwara South as the new year begins.
According to community sources, the assailants stormed the palace at about 8:00 p.m., firing indiscriminately and breaking down doors to force entry. Once inside, the gunmen allegedly demanded to see the monarch, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, before seizing him. They also abducted one of his sons, Olaolu, who is serving his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
During the chaos, the queen consort, Olori Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm. She managed to escape being taken by the attackers and was subsequently rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.
An eyewitness, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the terror and confusion that overtook the palace and its surroundings as the gunmen conducted the assault. “They came suddenly and started shooting when they sensed resistance,” the source said, adding that the attackers seemed to “come for the monarch specifically.”
At the time of reporting, security forces had been alerted, and efforts were underway to locate the abducted monarch and his son. Residents and local leaders have appealed urgently to the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify search and rescue operations, as the community reels from the traumatic incident.
The attack occurred amid broader concerns about rising banditry and violent crime in Kwara State, where previous kidnappings — including the earlier abduction of the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile monarch in November 2025 — have unsettled local populations and underscored ongoing security gaps.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming details of the attack or the current status of rescue operations. However, the violence has stirred fear and condemnation as residents fear further deterioration of stability in communities that have seen repeated deadly raids and kidnappings in recent years.
The assault on the traditional ruler’s residence marks a disturbing escalation in the use of force by criminal networks that have increasingly targeted rural and semi-urban areas, especially during festive occasions when security coverage can be stretched thin. Local vigilante units were reportedly unable to repel the attackers, who outgunned the few members present.
As families and community members await news of the monarch and his son’s safety, calls are growing for a reinforced and coordinated response from both state and federal security agencies to stem the tide of violent kidnappings and ensure the protection of lives and property in vulnerable areas of the state.
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