BREAKING: Bandits Abduct Newly Installed Kwara Monarch, Wife, One Other In Midnight Palace Raid — Third Royal Kidnap In One Year

Ilorin, Kwara State– Suspected bandits have abducted a newly installed traditional ruler, his wife, and another individual in a brazen overnight attack on a palace in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, has heightened fears over the growing wave of insecurity targeting traditional institutions in Kwara South.

Sources told Afrika Eyes that the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40 a.m., firing sporadically before whisking away the monarch and two others to an unknown destination.

Confirming the attack, a local source said, “Yes, it happened at Olayinka at about 1 a.m. His wife and one other person were also abducted. The monarch is one of those recently graded.”

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, described the terrifying moment the attackers struck.

“The bandits invaded the palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. They came heavily armed and took the monarch away without resistance because everyone was terrified,” the source said.

The abducted monarch was reportedly among those recently elevated and officially installed by the Kwara State Government earlier this year, making the incident particularly shocking to residents and observers.

Afrika Eyes gathered that this latest abduction marks the third case of a traditional ruler being kidnapped in Kwara South within a year, underscoring a troubling pattern of attacks on royal figures in the region.

A separate source lamented the recurring incidents, warning of deepening insecurity.

“This is becoming a disturbing trend. Just last year, two monarchs were kidnapped in this same region, and now it has happened again. People are living in fear,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

Residents of the community have called on government authorities and security operatives to urgently tackle the worsening security situation, warning that traditional rulers are increasingly becoming prime targets for criminal gangs.

The latest incident comes on the heels of similar abductions in the state.

On December 24, 2025, Afrika Eyes reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kamilu Salami, who had been abducted 25 days earlier, regained his freedom after ransom payments were made.

Confirming his release at the time, the community spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said, “I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night.”

Similarly, on February 5, 2026, Afrika Eyes reported that the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, regained his freedom after being abducted alongside his son in the same local government area. Sources indicated that his release also followed the payment of ransom, although the exact amount was not disclosed.

With the latest abduction, residents fear the situation may spiral further if urgent and decisive security measures are not implemented.