Gunmen raid palace, abduct Monarch, Wife in Kwara

Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife and another resident in a brazen midnight attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The monarch is said to be among those recently elevated by the state government.

The assailants, said to be heavily armed, stormed the palace of Oba Salman Aweda at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking away the monarch and two others to an unknown destination.

A resident who confirmed the development, said the attackers struck in the early hours of the day.

“It happened around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and one other person were also taken. The monarch is one of those recently graded,” the source said.

Another resident described the operation as swift and terrifying.

“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere. Nobody could confront them,” the resident said.

Confirming the incident in Ora on Saturday, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, told Daily Trust the attack underscores the worsening security situation across neighbouring communities.

“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene, insisting that local security structures only require adequate support to stem the tide.

“We have gallant vigilantes and soldiers. With the support of the President, within a week there will be significant progress,” he added.

The monarch further disclosed that the attack came barely “days after a similar incident in nearby Odo-Ore”, heightening fears of a coordinated pattern of kidnappings in the axis.

On his part, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as disturbing and assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said during a visit to the community.

He disclosed that a joint search and rescue operation involving security operatives, forest guards and local vigilantes had been launched across forests and surrounding communities.

“The operation is aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted monarch,” he added.

Yusuf appealed for calm among residents and urged them to support ongoing operations with credible information.

“Community cooperation remains critical in addressing these challenges and restoring peace,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, said security operatives had intensified pressure on the perpetrators.

“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.