Panic has spread through Olayinka Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected bandits abducted Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda, his wife, and another resident in a midnight raid. The attack occurred around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday when armed men stormed the monarch's palace, firing shots to instill fear before taking the three individuals to an unknown location. Oba Aweda was recently graded and formally installed by the Kwara State Government, making the abduction a significant blow to the community. A local resident confirmed the incident, noting that the attackers faced no resistance due to widespread fear.
Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, confirmed the abduction and described it as deeply troubling. He stated that a joint search-and-rescue operation has been launched involving security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes, targeting surrounding forests and nearby settlements. Yusuf urged residents to provide credible intelligence, emphasizing community cooperation as critical in combating insecurity. He assured the public that efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the monarch and strengthen security across the area.
The abduction has reignited fears of a resurgence in banditry in Kwara South, a region previously considered relatively peaceful. Residents expressed growing anxiety over the potential escalation of violence if sustained action is not taken.
The same monarch recently celebrated by the state government as part of a formal recognition exercise has now been seized from his palace under cover of darkness, exposing the fragility of such symbolic gestures in the face of unchecked violence. The chairman speaks of swift action, yet the attack unfolded without resistance in a community left defenceless despite the monarch's official status. If the palace of a newly installed traditional ruler offers no security, then no home in Olayinka is truly safe. The victims are not just the abducted, but everyone who believed the state's presence was more than ceremonial.
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