Kidnappers have demanded a N450 million ransom for the release of a Kwara traditional ruler, his son, and other abducted citizens of the Ifelodun Local Government Area in the state.
The abductors are demanding N150 million for the release of Aafin’s Oniwo, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a National Youth Service Corps member, as well as N300 million for the release of eight people kidnapped in Adanla-Irese, an Igbaja suburb.
A family source for the monarch, who talked to the press on Friday on the condition of anonymity, said that the kidnappers contacted him earlier in the day.
“The kidnappers contacted the family this afternoon and told us to bring N150 million to secure the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source said.
He complained that the family had been traumatized since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.
“Since this incident happened, we have not been ourselves. We entered the new year with sorrow and tears. We are calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because we don’t know what to do,” he added.
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 this afternoon and demanded N150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son. Only two days ago, N300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees,” he said.
Chronicle NG reports that kidnappers, on December 31, 2025, invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, storming the monarch’s palace around 8 pm.
A family source stated that about eight armed men attacked the palace, shooting sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.
“When they noticed we were locking doors and switching off lights, they started shooting. They broke the door with their guns and forced their way in,” the source said.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to a hospital for treatment.
The source added that the kidnappers abducted the monarch and his son after overwhelming the community vigilante group.
“Only two vigilante members were on duty, and they could not match the firepower of the attackers,” he said.
