Community source on Thursday confirmed that the monarch of Bayagan-Ile community, Rafiu Salami, remains in the custody of his abductors five days after being kidnapped.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the traditional ruler was abducted while on his farm last Saturday in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
However, there have been conflicting reports about his release since he was abducted.
Speaking with Vanguard, community spokesperson, Rafiu Ayinla, said he personally spoke with the monarch on Tuesday, who confirmed that he was still held at the same location since his abduction.
“When I spoke with him on Tuesday, he said he had been at the same spot since he was kidnapped. Our priority is negotiating the ransom; we are not discussing any other issue for now,” Ayinla said.
He further noted that aside from a local government councillor and neighbouring monarchs who visited to sympathise with the community, there has been no official visit from the police or the government house in Ilorin.
In a statement, Ayinla emphasised that reports claiming local hunters had rescued the monarch are false.
He said, “I personally spoke with Kabiyesi on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, and he confirmed that he is still in the custody of his abductors. The narrative suggesting that he has regained his freedom is fake and should be disregarded in its entirety.”
The Royal Family appealed to the public, media, and social media users to verify any information regarding the monarch directly with them to prevent misinformation and unnecessary tension.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]