Traditional ruler, six others escape from bandits’ camp in Kwara

An abducted monarch, Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, and six others have escaped from the grip of bandits.

Sources from the community told Vanguard that the monarch and six other abductees from a neighbouring community managed to flee following a coordinated attack on the bandits by vigilante groups in the forests.

“The vigilante team launched an attack on the bandits deep in the forests and engaged them in a fierce battle around the Eku Idaji area, close to Igbaja,” a source said.

“Although the Baale and the six other escapees are yet to arrive in the community, they have made contact with members of the community who confirmed what happened,” he added.

The bandits had earlier demanded N150 million from the community before the monarch could be freed.

In the early hours of Sunday, the bandits contacted the community to demand the ransom, asking Ojibara to speak with his people to prove he was in their custody.

The monarch reportedly urged his community to negotiate for his release, lamenting the ordeal as he was taken through thick forests on a motorcycle for more than five hours.

He also informed the community that an unspecified number of people were abducted from a neighbouring community while he was being taken away.

Salami was kidnapped around 9:30am on Saturday by a gang of bandits armed with AK-47 rifles, who stormed his farm in Bayagan, one of the largest communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area.