JUST IN: Gunmen Abduct Monarch, Wife In Kwara Palace Raid

 

Armed men suspected to be bandits have carried out a midnight attack on a royal residence in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting a traditional ruler, his wife, and another individual.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday when the attackers stormed the palace, firing gunshots to instill fear before taking the victims away. Residents said the operation was swift, leaving the community in shock.

A source familiar with the development disclosed that the assailants arrived at about 1:40 a.m., heavily armed and coordinated. 

“They overwhelmed the area with gunfire and seized the monarch without any resistance. People were too frightened to intervene,” the source said.

Further details indicate that the abducted ruler had only recently been elevated and formally recognised by the Kwara State Government, a development that has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in the region.

Moreover, locals say the latest abduction underscores a troubling pattern in Kwara South, where traditional rulers have increasingly become targets. 

Within the past year, at least two monarchs in the area were kidnapped and later freed after ransom payments.

“This is no longer an isolated case,” another resident said. “Communities are becoming anxious because it feels like no one is safe anymore, not even our traditional leaders.”

However, security agencies had yet to release an official statement as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to locate and rescue the abducted individuals are said to be ongoing.

Meanwhile, community members have urged authorities to intensify security operations across rural areas. 

They warned that continued attacks on traditional institutions could further destabilise local governance structures.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of similar incidents in Ifelodun. 

In late December 2025, a monarch abducted from his farm in the same local government regained freedom after several weeks in captivity, following the payment of ransom.

Likewise, in February 2026, another traditional ruler and his son were released after being held by kidnappers for days. 

Although details of the payments were not made public, sources confirmed that negotiations played a key role in securing their freedom.

Hence, residents insist that urgent and sustained intervention is necessary to curb the rising wave of abductions and restore confidence in security across Kwara communities.