Gunmen who abducted a traditional ruler in Kwara State, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, the Oniwo of Aafin, his son and others have demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release.
The development has further heightened concerns over the worsening security situation, particularly in Kwara South. This is as abductors of two persons, including a palace maid, in neighbouring Owa-Onire are also demanding N10 million, while the affected community is reportedly offering N1 million.
Vanguard reliably gathered on Friday that the abductors are demanding N150 million for the release of the embattled monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps. An additional N300 million ransom is being demanded for the release of eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the development in an interview with journalists on Friday.
Zubair disclosed that ransom negotiations had commenced for both sets of abductees.
“Only two days ago, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of the Adanla abductees. Today, they demanded N150 million for the monarch and his son,” he said.
The monarch was abducted on Wednesday night, December 31, 2025, when gunmen reportedly stormed the royal palace in Aafin community, Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, at about 8pm.
Eyewitnesses said about eight armed men invaded the palace, firing sporadically and forcing their way into the building.
“They broke down the doors with their guns and demanded to see the monarch and his wife,” a family source said.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to a hospital for treatment. The assailants subsequently abducted the monarch and his son, while the local vigilante group was reportedly overwhelmed.
Sources further disclosed that only two vigilante members were on duty at the time of the attack and were unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.
In a related incident, suspected bandits had earlier, on Friday, December 26, 2025, invaded Adanla community in Ifelodun LGA, abducting eight residents during a late evening raid.
Residents told journalists that the attackers stormed the agrarian community around 7pm, firing sporadically as they moved from house to house and forcing residents to comply.
As at press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the ransom demands.
Meanwhile, residents and community leaders have continued to appeal to the state and federal governments to intensify security operations and ensure the safe release of all abducted victims.
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