Gunmen storm palace in Kwara, abduct monarch, son

The Aniwo 1 of Aafin community, Ile-Ire District, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun and one of his sons, Olaolu, who is currently observing his National Youth Service Corps, have reportedly been kidnapped in a violent attack on the palace.

Report has it that the incident occurred late on Wednesday night, on new years eve, when a group of about eight gunmen allegedly stormed the palace around 8pm, shooting sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.

A family source who was inside the palace when the attack unfolded told The PUNCH via telephone on Thursday that panic ensued as the assailants opened fire.

“Around 8pm, I noticed some strange movements outside and I immediately alerted those inside. We started locking all the doors and switching off inner lights, but when they realised what we were doing, they began shooting sporadically,” the source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen forced their way into the palace by breaking down the door with guns and demanded to see the Oba.

“They are about eight in number because I saw them from where I was hiding. They used their guns to break down the door, gained entrance and requested for the Kabiesi, and he came out.

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“They were asking for his wife too, but she has been hit with a bullet in the arm, during their attempt to gain entrance” the source said.

The assailants also seized one of the monarch’s sons who came out from hiding with the Olori (queen), the source added.

“We were about 10 in the palace around that time to come spend the holiday with Kabiesi, so everyone was hiding during the incident. One of the sons who was with the Olori came out to avoid casualties as they were shooting and breaking down doors,” he said.

He added that the leader of the attackers spoke very good English and appeared to be targeting the monarch and his wife specifically.

“The leader of the kidnappers spoke good English and the only thing they were asking is the Kabiesi and when he came out, they were asking for his wife too.

“After they left, we quickly took the Olori to the hospital yesterday night,” the source said.

He said the town vigilante could not repel the attackers, as only two members were on duty as of the time.

“The town vigilante could not do much because they were two that came out that time and they couldn’t match the firepower of the assailants.

“We have not heard anything from them since they left with the Oba and his son. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our aid,” the source said.

The source also disclosed that the matter was reported to police divisions in the area on the night of the attack.

“When we left Aafin last night, we made a report at the Owu Isin Divisional Police and also when we got to Ijara Isin, we informed the police there too. The joint local security network at Ikosin was also informed, and also the Kabiesi of Oke Aba,” he said.

Contacted on Thursday, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was aware of the incident, but said details were still being collated.

“I will get in touch with you immediately, once I have detailed information about the incident,” she said.

The reported abduction comes amid a disturbing rise in insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun and other rural communities.

In late November, bandits abducted the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, from his farm in the same local government area, sparking fear and condemnation across the state.

The monarch was held in captivity for weeks before being released after community-led negotiations and payment of a substantial ransom.

Security analysts say the frequency of kidnappings, attacks on worshippers and assaults on rural leaders points to an escalation of banditry and criminal activity in forest-border communities of Kwara.

Recent data reveal scores of abductions and killings linked to armed groups operating along the state’s borders with Niger and Kogi states, as well as internal flashpoints within Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin and other local councils.