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Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, wife and one other person in the early hours of Saturday.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

"Yes. At Olayinka at about 1am. His wife and one other were also abducted. The Monarch is one of the recently graded."

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said, “The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. They came heavily armed and took the monarch away without resistance because everyone was terrified.”

The abducted monarch was said to have been recently elevated and officially installed by the Kwara State Government earlier this year, making the incident even more shocking to residents.

SaharaReporters gathered that this latest abduction marks the third case of a traditional ruler being kidnapped in Kwara South within a year. In 2025, two monarchs in the region were abducted by suspected bandits and were only released after ransom payments were made.

Another source confirmed the development, saying, “This is becoming a disturbing trend. Just last year, two monarchs were kidnapped in this same region, and now it has happened again. People are living in fear.”

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and efforts to rescue the abducted monarch are said to be ongoing.


Residents of the community have called on the government and security operatives to urgently address the growing insecurity in the area, warning that traditional institutions are increasingly becoming targets of criminal elements.

On December 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted by bandits 25 days ago, has been released.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on his farm and regained his freedom.

His return triggered widespread jubilation in the community, as residents trooped to the palace to welcome him and congratulate the monarch and his family on his safe return.
Confirming the development, the community’s spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the monarch was released after a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors in two instalments.

“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night,” Lawal said.

On February 5, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, has reportedly regained his freedom after being abducted by terrorists along with his son in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to a source who spoke to SaharaReporters, the traditional ruler was released after a ransom was paid to the kidnappers, who had held him in captivity for several days.

The exact amount of the ransom was not disclosed.

https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/18/breaking-bandits-abduct-newly-installed-monarch-wife-one-other-kwara-community

Kwara has turned to Yemen 🇾🇪 right in front of our eyes

Tinubu will send mats and kettles hopefully adds rice this time around.

Nigeria is gone, they should just break up the country, everyone should go their separate way

Being crowned a monarch in Kwara now is the same as being nominated as a Supreme leader in Iran. One gets Israeli treatment, the other gets bandits treatment.😁

This is Bola Ahmed Tinubu achievement

And, we do not need binocular glasses to see the state of insecurity and catastrophic he has achieved in Nigeria.

It's now a business as usual...💔..
Then tell me what's the gain of the masses..if their security cannot be guaranteed

treesun:
Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, wife and one other person in the early hours of Saturday.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

"Yes. At Olayinka at about 1am. His wife and one other were also abducted. The Monarch is one of the recently graded."

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said, “The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. They came heavily armed and took the monarch away without resistance because everyone was terrified.”

The abducted monarch was said to have been recently elevated and officially installed by the Kwara State Government earlier this year, making the incident even more shocking to residents.

SaharaReporters gathered that this latest abduction marks the third case of a traditional ruler being kidnapped in Kwara South within a year. In 2025, two monarchs in the region were abducted by suspected bandits and were only released after ransom payments were made.

Another source confirmed the development, saying, “This is becoming a disturbing trend. Just last year, two monarchs were kidnapped in this same region, and now it has happened again. People are living in fear.”

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and efforts to rescue the abducted monarch are said to be ongoing.


Residents of the community have called on the government and security operatives to urgently address the growing insecurity in the area, warning that traditional institutions are increasingly becoming targets of criminal elements.

On December 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted by bandits 25 days ago, has been released.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on his farm and regained his freedom.

His return triggered widespread jubilation in the community, as residents trooped to the palace to welcome him and congratulate the monarch and his family on his safe return.
Confirming the development, the community’s spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the monarch was released after a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors in two instalments.

“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night,” Lawal said.

On February 5, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, has reportedly regained his freedom after being abducted by terrorists along with his son in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to a source who spoke to SaharaReporters, the traditional ruler was released after a ransom was paid to the kidnappers, who had held him in captivity for several days.

The exact amount of the ransom was not disclosed.

https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/18/breaking-bandits-abduct-newly-installed-monarch-wife-one-other-kwara-community

Nigeria is a movie.. May we never be actors in it again in our next generation..

Except for the yorubas, they will all reincarnate as Nigerians.. Amen

You be traditional ruler, and bandits fit kidnap you, shey that one na traditional ruler or yeye village clown?

City boys movement of Tinubu avoiding this thread.

treesun:
Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, wife and one other person in the early hours of Saturday.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40am, firing sporadically before whisking away the royal father to an unknown destination.

"Yes. At Olayinka at about 1am. His wife and one other were also abducted. The Monarch is one of the recently graded."

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said, “The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. They came heavily armed and took the monarch away without resistance because everyone was terrified.”

The abducted monarch was said to have been recently elevated and officially installed by the Kwara State Government earlier this year, making the incident even more shocking to residents.

SaharaReporters gathered that this latest abduction marks the third case of a traditional ruler being kidnapped in Kwara South within a year. In 2025, two monarchs in the region were abducted by suspected bandits and were only released after ransom payments were made.

Another source confirmed the development, saying, “This is becoming a disturbing trend. Just last year, two monarchs were kidnapped in this same region, and now it has happened again. People are living in fear.”

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and efforts to rescue the abducted monarch are said to be ongoing.


Residents of the community have called on the government and security operatives to urgently address the growing insecurity in the area, warning that traditional institutions are increasingly becoming targets of criminal elements.

On December 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted by bandits 25 days ago, has been released.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on his farm and regained his freedom.

His return triggered widespread jubilation in the community, as residents trooped to the palace to welcome him and congratulate the monarch and his family on his safe return.
Confirming the development, the community’s spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the monarch was released after a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors in two instalments.

“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night,” Lawal said.

On February 5, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, has reportedly regained his freedom after being abducted by terrorists along with his son in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to a source who spoke to SaharaReporters, the traditional ruler was released after a ransom was paid to the kidnappers, who had held him in captivity for several days.

The exact amount of the ransom was not disclosed.

https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/18/breaking-bandits-abduct-newly-installed-monarch-wife-one-other-kwara-community

Hope trump can see that it is Christians terrorist that are kidnapping Muslims monarch

If this happened in Benue state the Headline would have indicated Muslim terrorist kidnapped....

Everyday 1 trouble- either killed or kidnapped or bounty by terrorists.

Is Kwara a Yoruba land conquererd before?

What is traditional about all these traditional monarchy titles? One group of scallywags will come and kidnap a king in Yoruba territory just like that... What about his spiritual strength? If you don't have spiritual strength, you are not fit to be a traditional leader anywhere... Enough of using all these ordinary people as a king. ..

Where are our brothers from SW that always talk about Iran vs U.S war in support of Iran.

Non of you will ever show concern in what is happening in Kwara State. The number of civilian lives wasted in Kwara is more than that of Iran.

Talk about your people losing their lives daily in Kwara.

Instead of them to buy gadgets to fight insurgency, they would rather use the money to bribe people to vote for them .

Next election you will hear them chant bola on your mandate we shall stand after collecting rice.
Abeg na them Sabi..

This Kwara has constantly been on the news lately for the wrong reason

Ahah

Obi

Obi

Obi

Ṣee the things Obi caused.

Ohh,Obi that give Tinubu supporters high blood pressure

Obi..

I will not vote. E no concern me. This is the result. Terrorists have both a religious and political agenda

This bandits should cross down to the east and do their business,I want to check something.

FortCavazosKnox:
Kwara has turned to Yemen 🇾🇪 right in front of our eyes

Not surprised, they're full of extremist. Next is Oyo and Osun🤷🏿

Dr Mailafia warned this so loud in 2019 or 2020 I think.

Unfortunately my Yoruba people were playing politics with it.

UkoAnnang:


This is Bola Ahmed Tinubu achievement

And, we do not need binocular glasses to see the state of insecurity and catastrophic he has achieved in Nigeria.

The surge in insecurity is highly political after all we've been enjoying peace before now. It's politics, it's about election and I know that Tinubu understand.

koladata:
Instead of them to buy gadgets to fight insurgency, they would rather use the money to bribe people to vote for them .

Some of you talk without sense. You think you know better than the soldiers on the war front? Pls let's respect people that have taken up the responsibility to confront these idiots and stop insulting their intelligence.

Dem wan go use Oba wife practice kamasutra.

Please Trump should come and help Nigeria abeg

Woe to anyone who still supports this evil Tinubu presidency


What a failure

Ebinpawo1:
This Kwara has constantly been on the news lately for the wrong reason

Remove Tinubu and see Nigeria become peaceful