By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Gunmen who abducted a traditional ruler in Kwara State, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, the Oniwo of Aafin, his son and other residents have demanded a total ransom of ₦450 million for their release.
The kidnappers are demanding ₦150 million for the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, and ₦300 million for eight other residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the demands on Friday, saying negotiations were ongoing. He disclosed that the abductors initially demanded ₦300 million for the Adanla victims before asking ₦150 million for the monarch and his son.
Oba Olaonipekun was abducted on Wednesday night, December 31, 2025, when armed men reportedly invaded his palace in Aafin community around 8pm. During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia, was shot in the arm and taken to hospital, while the monarch and his son were whisked away after the assailants overwhelmed local vigilantes.
In a related incident, eight residents were abducted during a raid on Adanla community on December 26, while abductors holding two other victims in nearby Owa-Onire are reportedly demanding ₦10 million.
As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to comment. Community leaders have appealed to authorities to intensify security efforts and secure the release of the victims.
