Kwara: Kidnappers Free 9 Victims After Collecting N40m Ransom, Abduct Another 10

The Adanla community of Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State has secured the release of nine residents abducted by armed bandits from the community after reportedly paying N40million ransom.

This is even as armed bandits on Wednesday reportedly kidnapped 10 persons in Ahun and Oro-Ago communities of Ifelodun local government area.

Sources told LEADERSHIP that the kidnappings were carried out early Wednesday morning with six in Ahun and another four in Oro-Ago and Oyate communities.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Adanla abductees were kidnapped on December 26, 2025, when gunmen invaded the palace of the community’s monarch, Oba Olarinoye.

A community source confirmed that the victims were released on Thursday night after the N40m ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

“Adanla 9 have all regained their freedom. To God be the glory!” the source said.

On the Oro- Ago episode, the wife of a victim said that her husband, a sawmill operator, Clement Emmanuel and his apprentice, Solomon were kidnapped while cutting trees in the farm in Ahun village.

Another source hinted that two others – Adewole and Adebayo were kidnapped while about to start burning felled trees to produce charcoals.

Mrs. Emmanuel added that the kidnappers have contacted her, demanding N10million ransom.

“Please oga reporter, help plead with them to release my husband sir, where will I get the N10million they asked for?”

The state commissioner of police Adekimi Ojo, at a media briefing on Friday told newsmen that he was yet to be officially briefed about the alleged kidnap of 10 persons in Oro- Ago and environ.

He, however, explained that his men carried out a coordinated joint intelligence-led operation in Oro-Ago, following intercepted communications revealing plans by a suspected kidnapping syndicate to infiltrate the area to service and refit motorcycles intended for criminal operations.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of ten suspects, including a mechanic and a logistics operative allegedly supplying fuel and other operational support to the syndicate.

“Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles reasonably suspected to be operational assets for kidnapping and banditry activities were recovered as exhibits,” he said.

There was also unconfirmed report that some bandits attacked Eruku community in Ifelodun local government area of the state on Friday.

Sources said that the bandits invaded the community around 5am, shooting guns sporadically into the air to instill fears in the residents.

The sources, however, added that the bandits were repelled by the local vigilantes and forest guards.

” They were unable to accomplish their mission to kidnap people, but they set a vehicle on fire,” a source said.