SUNTV Global Channel – January 2, 2026
Fear and anxiety have gripped communities in Kwara State as abductors of a traditional ruler, his son and eight other residents demanded a staggering ₦450 million ransom for their release.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that the kidnappers are asking for ₦150 million to free the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). An additional ₦300 million ransom has been demanded for eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, all within Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
A family source of the monarch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers made contact with the family on Friday.
“The kidnappers called this afternoon and told us to bring ₦150 million if we want Kabiesi and his son released,” the source disclosed.
Describing the family’s ordeal, the source said the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, has left them traumatised.
“We entered the new year with tears and sorrow. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to help us because we don’t know what else to do,” the source lamented.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demands.
“Yes, it is true. The bandits contacted the family and demanded ₦150 million for the monarch and his son. Just two days earlier, ₦300 million was demanded for the eight people abducted from Adanla,” he said.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that gunmen invaded Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, storming the monarch’s palace at about 8:00 p.m.
According to a family source, about eight heavily armed men attacked the palace, firing sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.
“When we started locking doors and switching off lights, they began shooting. They broke the door and forced their way inside,” the source narrated.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and rushed to the hospital for treatment. The assailants later abducted the monarch and his son after overpowering the community vigilantes.
“Only two vigilante members were on duty. They couldn’t match the attackers’ firepower,” the source added.
In a related incident, suspected bandits had earlier invaded Adanla community on December 26, 2025, abducting eight residents during an evening raid in which the attackers reportedly moved from house to house while firing gunshots.
The twin abductions have heightened fears over worsening insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and other parts of Kwara South, where cases of kidnapping have surged in recent months.
Recall that in November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was abducted from his farm in the same local government area and held for weeks before regaining freedom after a ransom was reportedly paid.
Efforts to get official comments from the Kwara State Police Command on the latest ransom demands proved unsuccessful as of press time. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was not aware of any ransom request.
She reiterated that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has consistently warned that ransom payments only encourage criminal activities, adding that security agencies are working tirelessly to rescue all abducted persons.
Meanwhile, residents of the affected communities continue to appeal to both the state and federal governments to urgently beef up security and ensure the safe release of all victims.
Reporting for SUNTV Global Channel.
