Bandits have abducted Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, monarch of Aafin community, and one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday in the Ile-Ire district, heightening fear among residents amid rising insecurity in Kwara south.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, firing sporadically and forcing their way inside after breaking down doors.
During the attack, Felicia Olaonipekun, the queen consort, was shot in the arm but was not abducted. She was later rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.
A palace source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen demanded to see the monarch after realising that occupants had locked doors and switched off lights.
The source said: “I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00 pm and alerted those inside, but once they realised this, they started shooting. They gained entrance, demanded to see the Kabiyesi, and later discovered Olaolu in hiding and seized him as well.”
The source said at least 10 family members and visitors were inside the palace at the time of the attack.
Community vigilantes were reportedly unable to confront the assailants, as only two members were on night duty.
“The vigilantes could not do much because they were just two on duty and the gunmen came straight to the palace,” the source said.
The abduction comes weeks after the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the same local government area, Kamilu Salami, regained freedom after spending about 25 days in captivity.
Ayinla Lawal, spokesperson of the community, had said the monarch was released after a “huge” ransom was paid in two instalments by residents.
“Our elders pleaded that we should not disclose the amount, but it was huge and only members of the community contributed,” Lawal said.
Lawal added that the abductors initially rejected an earlier payment of N10 million and later demanded an additional N15 million before releasing the monarch.