Abductors of Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, the Oniwo of Aafin in Kwara State, his son, and several residents have reportedly demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release.
The development has intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Kwara South. In nearby Owa-Onire, two abductees—a palace maid and another resident—remain in captivity, with their abductors demanding N10 million, while the community has reportedly offered N1 million.
According to sources, kidnappers are asking for N150 million for the release of the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and an additional N300 million for eight residents seized from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the ransom demands to journalists on Friday, noting that negotiations had begun for both groups of abductees. “Only two days ago, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of the Adanla abductees. Today, they demanded N150 million for the monarch and his son,” he said.
Oba Olaonipekun was abducted on Wednesday night, 31 December 2025, when armed men stormed the royal palace in Aafin community, Ile-Ire district, at around 8 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported that about eight gunmen entered the palace, firing sporadically before forcing their way inside. “They broke down the doors with their guns and demanded to see the monarch and his wife,” a family source said.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later treated in hospital. The gunmen then abducted the monarch and his son, while the local vigilante group, which had only two members on duty, was reportedly overwhelmed.
In a related incident, suspected bandits raided Adanla community on Friday, 26 December 2025, abducting eight residents during an evening attack. Residents said the assailants moved from house to house around 7 p.m., firing sporadically to force compliance.
As of Friday, the Kwara State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the ransom demands. Residents and community leaders continue to appeal to both state and federal authorities to intensify security efforts and secure the safe release of all abducted victims.
