Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife and another resident during a midnight attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The assailants, reportedly heavily armed, stormed the palace of Oba Salman Aweda at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing gunshots to scare residents before whisking away the monarch and two others to an unknown destination.
Sources in the community said the operation, which lasted a few minutes, left residents in panic as no one could confront the attackers.
“It happened around 1 a.m. His wife and another person were also taken. The monarch is among those recently elevated,” a resident said.
Another eyewitness described the raid as swift and coordinated. “They came heavily armed and shot sporadically. There was fear everywhere. People stayed indoors,” the source added.
Confirming the incident, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, said the attack highlights the worsening insecurity across neighbouring communities.
He noted that the abduction occurred barely days after a similar incident in nearby Odo-Ore, raising concerns over a possible pattern of coordinated kidnappings in the area.
“Even our community is no longer safe. We need urgent intervention from the Federal Government. With adequate support, local security outfits can curb this menace,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as disturbing and assured residents that efforts were underway to rescue the victims.
He disclosed that a joint search-and-rescue operation involving security agencies, forest guards and local vigilantes had been launched across surrounding forests.
“We are taking swift and decisive action to ensure the safe return of the abducted monarch and others,” Yusuf said, urging residents to provide credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said security operatives had intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
According to him, pressure from ongoing operations had forced the kidnappers into hiding, though he warned that the activities of local collaborators remained a major challenge.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over rising cases of abduction in parts of the state, with residents calling for stronger security presence to stem the tide of attacks.
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