iDeemlawfulKidnappers have demanded a combined ransom of N450 million for the release of a Kwara traditional ruler, his son, and other abducted residents of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The abductors are seeking N150 million for the freedom of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, while N300 million is being demanded for eight persons taken from Adanla-Irese, a community on the outskirts of Igbaja.
A family source of the monarch made it known on Friday under anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers reached out 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.
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He expressed distress over the family’s ordeal 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. We are calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because we don’t know what to do,” he added.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demands to PUNCH Online.
“Yes, it is true. The bandits contacted the family this afternoon and demanded N150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son. Only two days ago, N300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees,” he said.
Bandits had, on December 31, 2025, invade the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, storming the monarch’s palace at about 8 pm.
A family source said roughly eight armed men attacked the palace, firing sporadically and asking to see the monarch and his wife.
“When they noticed we were locking doors and switching off lights, they started shooting. They broke the door with their guns and forced their way in,” the source said.
During the assault, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
The source added that the assailants abducted the monarch and his son after overpowering the local vigilante group.
“Only two vigilante members were on duty, and they could not match the firepower of the attackers,” he said.
Similarly, on Friday, December 26, 2025, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun LGA, and abducted eight residents.
Residents made it known that the incident occurred around 7 pm when gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing shots as they went from house to house and forcing residents to submit.
The twin abductions have deepened anxiety over the deteriorating security situation in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and parts of Kwara South, which have witnessed a spike in kidnapping cases in recent months.
In November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was kidnapped from his farm in the same local government area and held for weeks before regaining freedom following the payment of a ransom.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Kwara State Police Command regarding the latest ransom demands were unsuccessful as of press time.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was unaware of any ransom request from the abductors.
“We are not aware of any requests for ransom to free abducted persons in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has repeatedly stated that the payment of ransom encourages and emboldens criminal elements to intensify their nefarious activities.
“The police and other security agencies are working round the clock to rescue abducted persons and rid the state of criminal elements,” she said.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to appeal to the state and federal governments to urgently boost security presence and ensure the safe release of all abducted persons.