The Commissioner of Police in Kwara state, Adekimi Ojo, has confirmed the kidnap of a traditional ruler, his wife and another resident in Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA).
However, the police said search rescue has been triggered by his operatives.
“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.
Accordinf to residents, the gun-weilding assailants, invaded the palace of Oba Salman Aweda at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically to scare people before whisking away the monarch and two others to an unknown destination.
Chairman of Ifelodun LGA who also confirmed the incident said Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as disturbing and assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said during a visit to the community.
He disclosed that a joint search and rescue operation involving security operatives, forest guards and local vigilantes had been launched across forests and surrounding communities.
“The operation is aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted monarch,” he added.
Yusuf appealed for calm among residents and urged them to support ongoing operations with credible information.
This latest abduction marks the third case of a traditional ruler being kidnapped in Kwara South within a year.
In 2025, two monarchs in the region were abducted by suspected bandits and were only released after ransom payments were made.
Kwara state has witnessed heightened insecurity in recent times with some victims being kidnapped and killed, while many have been rendered homeless.
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