SUSPECTED bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife, and another resident in a brazen midnight attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the monarch is said to be among those recently elevated by the state government, adding further gravity to the shocking incident that has heightened tension across the area.
According to reports, the assailants, who were said to be heavily armed, stormed the palace of Oba Salman Aweda at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. The attackers reportedly fired sporadically into the air to scare residents before whisking away the monarch and two others to an unknown destination.
A resident who confirmed the development said the attackers struck in the early hours, catching the community off guard.
“It happened around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and one other person were also taken. The monarch is one of those recently graded,” the source said.
Another resident described the operation as both swift and terrifying, noting that the attackers executed the raid with precision.
“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere. Nobody could confront them,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident in Ora on Saturday, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, told Daily Trust that the attack reflects the worsening security situation across neighbouring communities.
“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe,” he said.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene, stressing that local security structures only require adequate support to effectively tackle the growing threat.
“We have gallant vigilantes and soldiers. With the support of the President, within a week there will be significant progress,” he added.
The monarch further disclosed that the incident occurred barely days after a similar attack in nearby Odo-Ore, raising fears of a possible coordinated pattern of kidnappings within the axis.
On his part, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as deeply disturbing and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the safe return of 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 affected community.
He revealed that a joint search-and-rescue operation involving security operatives, forest guards, and local vigilantes had already been launched across forests and surrounding communities.
“The operation is aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted monarch,” he added.
Yusuf also appealed for calm among residents, urging them to cooperate with authorities by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
“Community cooperation remains critical in addressing these challenges and restoring peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed that security operatives had intensified pressure on the perpetrators.
“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.