Kidnappers have demanded a total of N450 million ransom for the release of a traditional ruler in Kwara State, his son, and other abducted residents of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The abductors are demanding N150 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, while N300 million has been demanded for eight other residents abducted in Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja.
A family source of the monarch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed on Friday that the kidnappers made contact earlier in the day.
“The kidnappers contacted the family this afternoon and told us to bring N150 million to secure the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source said.
The source lamented that the family had been traumatised since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, and appealed to the government and security agencies for urgent intervention.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demand, stating that the kidnappers had contacted the family and reiterated their demands.
Gunmen had reportedly invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, storming the monarch’s palace around 8pm. During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and taken to hospital for treatment.
According to a family source, about eight armed men overwhelmed the local vigilante group, which had only two members on duty at the time, and abducted the monarch and his son.
Similarly, on December 26, 2025, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community, abducting eight residents after storming the area and firing sporadically as they moved from house to house.
The twin abductions have heightened fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and other areas of Kwara South.
While efforts to get an official response from the Kwara State Police Command on the ransom demands were unsuccessful, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was not aware of any ransom request and reiterated that paying ransom encourages criminal activities.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to call on the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security and ensure the safe rescue of all abducted persons.
