… 30 Traditional Rulers Flee Palaces Amid Wave of Killings, Kidnappings
No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara South have reportedly abandoned their palaces following sustained attacks by armed groups, as angry residents took to the streets on Saturday to protest what they described as the “total collapse” of security in the region.
The development comes amid fresh alarm from the Kwara South Development Forum, whose members stormed major streets in the senatorial district, accusing armed groups—described by residents as terrorists—of overrunning indigenous Yoruba communities, killing residents, abducting victims, and displacing entire villages.
The protesters also called on President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently intervene, warning that the situation had reached a “dangerous tipping point” marked by deserted communities and leadership vacuum following the flight of traditional rulers.
Protesters lament community takeover, collapse of vigilante structures
Speaking during the protest, Convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, said armed groups had systematically targeted and eliminated local vigilante commanders, paving the way for what he described as a creeping occupation of Kwara South communities.
“Our local vigilante commanders were identified by informants, and they were killed one by one.
After eliminating them, they took over our communities, killing and kidnapping innocent people,” Ridwan said.
He alleged that informants aided attackers in dismantling community defence structures, leaving residents vulnerable.
Ridwan added that schools had been shut, families displaced, and entire settlements deserted due to recurring attacks.
“Our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers have been killed and kidnapped. Our schools are shut down in Kwara South. We are calling on President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower vigilantes and security agencies to end these killings,” he added.
Residents recount kidnappings, ransom payments
During the protest, emotions ran high as residents narrated harrowing experiences.
A female protester, Adebisi Jimoh, said her community, Babanla, had been deserted.
“Our community has become deserted. Family members have been kidnapped, and we raised ransom to secure their release. Many of us have been chased out of our homes,” she said.
Another resident, Sodiq Amidu, said two of his associates paid heavy ransom before regaining freedom.
“They were Abdullah Issa, who paid N10m, and Yusuf Ibrahim, who paid N5m. They were lucky to come back alive. Many others are not that fortunate,” he said.
30 monarchs flee palaces as attacks intensify
Meanwhile, credible community sources confirmed that no fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara South have fled their domains due to repeated kidnappings and violent raids.
The monarchs, it was gathered, are currently taking refuge in cities including Ilorin, Offa, Osogbo, and Lagos, while their abandoned palaces have become symbols of the worsening insecurity.
