Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have abducted the monarch of Aafin Community, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, alongside one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2026, plunging residents into fear as insecurity continues to tighten its grip on Kwara South communities.
SaharaReporters gathered that the armed men stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, shooting sporadically and forcing their way in after breaking down doors.
Meanwhile, during the attack, the Olori (Queen consort), Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped being taken away. She was later rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A palace eyewitness who spoke on anonymity described the moments leading up to the abduction, saying, “I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00pm and immediately alerted those inside. We began locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting.
“They gained entrance and demanded to see the Kabiyesi. They also asked for his wife, but she had already been hit by a bullet. Kabiyesi came out and they took him. They later discovered Olaolu in hiding and seized him as well.”
At least 10 family members and visitors were reportedly inside the palace for the holiday season when the gunmen struck.
The vigilante unit in the community, which has only two members on duty at night, was unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.
“The vigilantes could not do much because they were just two on duty. The gunmen came straight to the palace. They didn’t attack any other house,” the source added.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted by bandits 25 days ago, had been released.
The traditional ruler was kidnapped on his farm.
His return triggered widespread jubilation in the community, as residents trooped to the palace to welcome him and congratulate the monarch and his family on his safe return.
Confirming the development, the community’s spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the monarch was released after a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors in two instalments.
“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night,” Lawal said.
“Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that we should not disclose the amount, so I won’t be able to tell you the amount, but it was huge. The local government and state government didn’t come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.
“Only members of the community contributed the amount. It was really tough for us in the community and that was why it took a longer time before our monarch was released. Above all, we thank Almighty God that he came back alive and we also thank the media and members of the community for their support,” Lawal said.
Lawal recalled that the bandits initially refused to release the monarch after an earlier payment of N10 million and later demanded an additional N15 million.
“We took the money to the place where they said we should drop it but they said we should pay them another N15 million which we struggled to raise in the community,” he stated.
