ILORIN, KWARA STATE — Terror has struck the Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area after heavily armed bandits invaded the palace and abducted the traditional ruler, Oba Salman Aweda. The gunmen, who operated with total impunity in the early hours of Saturday, also whisked away the monarch’s wife and one other resident into the forest.
The attack, which occurred around 1:40 a.m., was characterized by sporadic gunfire intended to paralyze the community with fear. Residents described a scene of absolute helplessness as the bandits moved through the palace without resistance. The abduction is particularly stinging for the community, as Oba Aweda was a recently elevated traditional ruler who had just been formally installed by the state government.
“Everyone Was Scared”
“The bandits came heavily armed,” one terrified resident recounted. “They took the monarch, his wife, and one other person. Because of the shooting, nobody could do anything to stop them.” Local sources confirmed that the town remains in a state of panic, with many fearing that the kidnappers have already moved their victims deep into the surrounding wilderness.
“The bandits came heavily armed,” one terrified resident recounted. “They took the monarch, his wife, and one other person. Because of the shooting, nobody could do anything to stop them.” Local sources confirmed that the town remains in a state of panic, with many fearing that the kidnappers have already moved their victims deep into the surrounding wilderness.
Rescue Operation Underway
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, has visited the scene, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing.” In a bid to prevent a repeat of recent tragedies in the region, a massive joint search-and-rescue operation has been launched.
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, has visited the scene, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing.” In a bid to prevent a repeat of recent tragedies in the region, a massive joint search-and-rescue operation has been launched.
Forest guards, local vigilantes, and state security operatives are currently combing the forests and neighboring communities in a high-stakes race against time. Yusuf urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that “community cooperation” is the only way to track the bandits’ movements in the difficult terrain.
Rising Insecurity in Kwara South
This latest raid has reignited fears of a resurgence in banditry across Kwara South, an area that has seen a spike in kidnappings targeting high-profile individuals and traditional institutions. As the families of the victims wait in agony, there are growing calls for the state government to establish a permanent and more robust security presence in the vulnerable border communities.
This latest raid has reignited fears of a resurgence in banditry across Kwara South, an area that has seen a spike in kidnappings targeting high-profile individuals and traditional institutions. As the families of the victims wait in agony, there are growing calls for the state government to establish a permanent and more robust security presence in the vulnerable border communities.
