Bandits demand ₦450m ransom for Kwara monarch, others

Bandits have demanded a total ransom of ₦450 million for the release of a traditional ruler in Kwara State, his son and other residents abducted in Ifelodun local government area of the state.

The abductors are demanding ₦150 million for the release of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps.

They are also asking for ₦300 million to free eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, in the same local government area.

A family source of the monarch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers made contact earlier on Friday.

“The kidnappers contacted the family this afternoon and told us to bring ₦150 million to secure the release of Kabiyesi and his son,” the source said.

He added that the family had been traumatised since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.

“Since this incident happened, we have not been ourselves; we entered the new year with sorrow and tears, and we are calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid,” he said.

Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, also confirmed the ransom demands.

“Yes, it is true; the bandits contacted the family this afternoon and demanded ₦150 million for the release of Kabiyesi and his son, while ₦300 million was demanded for the Adanla abductees two days ago,” he said.

The monarch and his son were abducted on December 31, 2025, after gunmen stormed Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA at about 8pm.

During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later rushed to hospital for treatment..

The abduction came days after suspected bandits invaded Adanla community on December 26, 2025, abducting eight residents during a raid that lasted several minutes.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the area in large numbers around 7pm, firing sporadically and forcing residents into submission.

The twin abductions have heightened fears over worsening insecurity in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and other parts of Kwara South.