KIDNAPPED KWARA MONARCH REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER ONE MONTH IN CAPTIVITY

KIDNAPPED KWARA MONARCH REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER ONE MONTH IN CAPTIVITY


The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was abducted by gunmen in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after spending about one month in captivity.

The traditional ruler was released on Wednesday night, according to family sources, two weeks after his son, Olaolu, who was kidnapped alongside him, regained freedom.

A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, disclosed that prolonged negotiations preceded the monarch’s release, with an additional ransom reportedly paid after an earlier payment secured the release of his son.

According to the source, the abductors released the monarch around a herders’ settlement in the Oreke axis of Ifelodun Local Government Area, from where he was taken to a nearby military base before being reunited with his family.

The source added that the monarch is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed health facility, following physical exhaustion and psychological trauma suffered during his captivity.

“He is stable and responding well to treatment. The family and the entire Afin community are grateful to all those who contributed to his safe return,” the source said.

However, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the release of the monarch but stated that it was not aware of any ransom payment.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the monarch’s release followed intensified joint security operations in the area.

She explained that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has consistently advised against the payment of ransom and encouraged families of victims to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence.

Oba Olanipekun, popularly known as Oniwo I of Afin, was abducted on New Year’s Eve during an attack on his palace in the Ile-Ire District.

During the incident, armed men reportedly stormed the palace in the evening, firing sporadically before abducting the monarch and his son, who is a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Residents of the Afin community had earlier expressed concern over the incident, calling on the state government and security agencies to strengthen security presence in rural parts of Kwara State.

The abduction was one of several high-profile kidnapping cases recorded in the state in recent months, further raising concerns over worsening insecurity, particularly in the southern axis of Kwara.

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