Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The traditional ruler of Igbesi community in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, has regained his freedom after spending five days in the captivity of armed bandits. A source who spoke with SaharaReporters on Thursday, August 27, 2026, confirmed the monarch's release, stating that he was set free by his abductors. "The Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi land was released today," the source told SaharaReporters.
According to reports, the monarch was released without any ransom payment. "No payment of ransom. The development comes barely five days after the monarch was kidnapped when armed men invaded Igbesi community in Oke-Onigbin town, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara South Senatorial District," a source told Afrika Eyes. The release marks the end of an ordeal that began late on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when armed bandits stormed the community at approximately 11:00 p.m., seizing the monarch and whisking him away to an unknown location, throwing residents into panic.
The abduction of the Onigbesi of Igbesi was part of a disturbing pattern of insecurity that has plagued Kwara State, particularly in the Kwara South region. The attack on Igbesi community occurred just days after another traditional ruler in the state was targeted, heightening fears among residents and traditional institutions. The Kwara State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo, had confirmed the monarch's abduction and launched a rescue operation following the attack.
While the exact circumstances of the monarch's release remain unclear, his safe return has brought relief to his family and the Igbesi community. The development comes amid growing calls for improved security in Kwara State, where bandits and kidnappers have increasingly targeted traditional rulers and prominent citizens. The release of Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I without a ransom payment, if confirmed, represents a rare victory in the fight against kidnapping, which has become a lucrative enterprise for criminal gangs across Nigeria. However, the incident has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of security measures in Kwara State and the vulnerability of traditional institutions to attacks.
As the monarch returns to his community, residents are hopeful that his release will not be followed by further attacks, and that the government will take decisive action to address the root causes of insecurity in the region. For now, the people of Igbesi can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their traditional ruler has been restored to them. The Kwara State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the monarch's release or the circumstances surrounding it. Efforts to reach the command's spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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