Kidnappers Demand N450m Ransom for Kwara Monarch, Son, Eight Others
Kidnappers holding the Kwara State traditional ruler, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, the Oniwo of Aafin, his son, Olaolu, and eight other villagers have demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release.
A palace source told The Guardian on Friday that the abductors are demanding N150 million for the monarch and his son, Olaolu, who is a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
According to the source, an additional N300 million ransom was placed on the release of eight other residents abducted in Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Council.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed that negotiations had commenced for the release of the abductees.
“Only two days ago, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of the Adanla abductees. Today, they demanded N150 million for the monarch and his son,” he said.
The monarch was abducted on Wednesday night when gunmen reportedly stormed his palace in Aafin community, Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area, at about 8pm.
Eyewitnesses said about eight armed men invaded the palace, firing sporadically before forcing their way inside.
“They broke down the doors with their guns and demanded to see the monarch and his wife,” a family source said.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to hospital for treatment.
The attackers subsequently abducted the monarch and his son after overwhelming the local vigilante group.
Sources said only two vigilante members were on duty at the time and were unable to confront the heavily armed assailants.
The eight other residents were abducted on Boxing Day after gunmen invaded Adanla community in Ifelodun Local Council during a late evening raid.
Residents said the attackers stormed the agrarian community around 7pm, firing sporadically as they moved from house to house and forcing residents to comply.
As of press time, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the ransom demands.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
