Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife and another resident during a daring midnight attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The monarch, identified as Oba Salman Aweda, is reportedly among traditional rulers recently elevated by the state government.
According to residents, the heavily armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically to create panic before whisking away the monarch, his wife and a third victim to an undisclosed location.
A source in the community said, “The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and another person were also abducted. The monarch is one of those recently graded.”
Another resident described the attack as swift and terrifying, noting that the gunmen operated unchallenged.
“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere, and no one could confront them,” the resident said.
Reacting to the incident, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, in a statement on Saturday, said the attack highlights the deteriorating security situation in the area and neighbouring communities.
“Before dawn yesterday, kidnappers struck in 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, stressing that local security outfits require stronger support to tackle the growing threat.
“We have gallant vigilantes and soldiers. With the support of the President, there will be significant progress within a week,” he added.
The traditional ruler also revealed that the abduction occurred just days after a similar incident in nearby Odo-Ore, raising concerns over a possible pattern of coordinated attacks in the axis.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said security operatives have intensified efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The kidnappers have gone into hiding due to the ongoing pressure on them. However, the challenge remains the activities of local collaborators, and we are actively tracking them,” he said.
