Suspected terrorists have reportedly kidnapped the monarch of Aafin Community, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, alongside one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2026, when the assailants reportedly stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, shooting sporadically and forcing their way inside after breaking down doors.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the attack threw the entire community into panic, as insecurity continues to worsen across Kwara South.
During the invasion, the Olori (queen consort), Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped being abducted. She was later rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.
An eyewitness at the palace, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen arrived suddenly and immediately began firing when they sensed resistance.
“I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00 pm and alerted those inside. We started locking doors and switching off the lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting,” the source said.
“They forced their way in 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 away.
“They later discovered Olaolu, who was hiding, and seized him as well.”
No fewer than 10 family members and visitors were inside the palace at the time of the attack, having gathered for the New Year festivities.
The community’s vigilante unit, which reportedly had only two members on night duty, 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 and didn’t attack any other house,” the eyewitness added.
The abduction has heightened fear in the area, coming barely weeks after the release of the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Kamilu Salami, who was kidnapped from his farm in the same local government area and held for about 25 days.
His release had sparked celebrations in the community after a huge ransom was reportedly paid in two instalments.
Confirming his return at the time, the community spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the traditional ruler was freed after residents raised the ransom without government assistance.
“Our elders pleaded that the amount should not be disclosed, but it was huge,” Lawal said.
He revealed that the abductors initially rejected an earlier payment of ₦10 million and later demanded an additional ₦15 million before releasing the monarch.
Recall that bandits recently released the traditional ruler of Bayagan Ile community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA), Oba Kamilu Salami, after spending over 25 days in captivity.