The Kwara State Police Command has rescued the brother of an abducted traditional ruler following a violent attack on a palace in the Olayinka community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, intensifying concerns over rising insecurity in the region.
The incident occurred when about ten armed assailants stormed the palace and forcefully abducted the monarch, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, along with his brother after reportedly demanding money earlier given to the ruler by miners who had visited him that day.
According to the State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, the attackers broke into the palace, dragged the monarch from his room, and whisked both victims into the surrounding forest despite the monarch complying with their demand for money.
In the course of the abduction, the monarch’s brother, who was barefoot, became exhausted during the forced trek. Unable to continue, he reportedly told the kidnappers to kill him rather than proceed further. Instead, the assailants tied him to a tree and abandoned him before moving deeper into the forest with the monarch. He was later found and rescued by security operatives.
The police said they launched a swift response upon receiving reports of the attack, deploying drones and other operational resources to track the perpetrators. This led to the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners within the community, although authorities noted that investigations are ongoing to determine their direct involvement in the abduction.
Meanwhile, local sources revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the community, demanding a ransom of about ₦400 million for the monarch’s release, further heightening tension in the area.
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Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, described the incident as disturbing and confirmed that combined security teams, including vigilantes and forest guards, have intensified search operations to secure the monarch’s safe return. He also urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information.
The attack adds to growing fears of insecurity in parts of Kwara South, where traditional rulers and rural communities have increasingly become targets of criminal gangs.
