Kidnappers Demand N450m For Kwara Monarch, Son, Other Captives

Abductors of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, his son, and several residents in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State have reportedly demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release.

The kidnappers were asking N150 million for the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, and N300 million for eight other residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja.

A family source who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the ransom demand on the monarch and his son on Friday.

“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.

The source added that the family has been deeply traumati#ed 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 said.

Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, also confirmed the ransom demand for other captives from Adanla community.

“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.

LEADERSHIP reports that bandits stormed the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, attacking the monarch’s palace around 8 pm.

A family source said about eight armed men carried out the attack, firing sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.

Earlier, on December 26, suspected bandits raided Adanla community, abducting eight residents. Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the area around 7 pm, firing sporadically and moving from house to house.

The twin abductions have heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun LGA, and other parts of Kwara South, which have recorded a surge in kidnappings in recent months.