Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were thrown into panic after armed terrorists abducted their traditional ruler, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda, in a violent midnight invasion, escalating fears over worsening insecurity in the region.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday when heavily armed men stormed the monarch’s palace around 1:40 a.m., firing shots sporadically to scare residents before breaking into the residence and whisking away the traditional ruler alongside two other individuals. Eyewitness accounts from community members described a coordinated assault involving more than ten gunmen who arrived under the cover of darkness and operated without resistance due to fear and the overwhelming firepower they displayed. One of the abductees was later identified as a resident who was also taken during the raid, while another victim was reportedly abandoned along the route after pleading inability to continue moving during the forced march into nearby forest terrain.
The abduction has since heightened tension across the community, with many residents fleeing their homes or remaining indoors amid fears of further attacks. Local leaders confirmed that security operatives, including vigilantes and forest guards, have begun coordinated search operations in surrounding forest belts believed to be escape routes used by the attackers.
Shortly after the incident, reports emerged that the abductors established contact with community representatives and demanded a ransom of ₦400 million for the release of the monarch. The figure has intensified concern among residents and authorities, coming at a time when kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common in parts of Kwara South, where rural communities often face limited security presence and delayed response times during attacks.
Local government officials have acknowledged the incident, describing it as deeply troubling and confirming that security agencies have been mobilized to secure the monarch’s safe return. Authorities say they are working in collaboration with local vigilante groups and other security formations to track the movement of the abductors through suspected forest hideouts that have become recurring escape corridors for armed groups operating in the region.
The abduction adds to a growing pattern of attacks targeting traditional rulers and rural communities in Kwara State. In recent months, several monarchs and community leaders in the state have been kidnapped, with some released only after ransom payments running into tens of millions of naira, while others remain missing or are still being negotiated for release. Security analysts say the repeated targeting of traditional institutions signals a shift in tactics by armed groups who increasingly view rural leadership figures as high-value targets due to their influence and perceived ability to mobilize community resources.
The Kwara State government has previously expressed concern over the surge in kidnapping incidents, particularly in Ifelodun and neighbouring local government areas, where difficult terrain and limited infrastructure have complicated security operations. Officials have repeatedly assured residents that efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance and increase patrol presence in vulnerable communities, though many locals continue to express fear that such measures have not yet translated into lasting security improvements.
As of the latest updates, the abductors remain at large, and the whereabouts of Oba Aweda and the other victims are still unknown. Security forces continue to comb forested areas in what has become a race against time to secure their release without further escalation. Community leaders have appealed for calm while urging intensified government intervention to prevent further deterioration of security in the region.
The incident underscores the deepening challenge of rural insecurity in parts of north-central Nigeria, where kidnapping networks continue to exploit weak surveillance systems and difficult terrain to carry out coordinated abductions targeting both civilians and high-profile traditional leaders.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments