Terrorists Invade Kwara Communities, Kidnap Scores, Kill Resident, Traditional Ruler Reportedly Dies Despite ₦21Million Ransom Payment

Ilorin, Kwara State — Terrorists suspected to be bandits have launched coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Kwara State, kidnapping scores of residents across Isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas while killing one person in Famole community after a gun battle with locals.

Sources told Afrika Eyes that the assailants simultaneously attacked Gaa-Oke Abba and Gaa-Alla communities in Isin Local Government Area as well as Famole community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, spreading panic among residents and forcing many villagers to flee for safety.

According to sources familiar with the incidents, the attacks occurred as armed men stormed the affected communities and abducted several residents.

A source told Afrika Eyes that in Gaa-Alla community, at least two persons were kidnapped by the attackers.

The source, however, noted that the exact number of victims abducted in Gaa-Oke Abba community could not immediately be ascertained as residents were still taking stock of those missing following the attack.

“The terrorists attacked Gaa-Oke Abba and Gaa-Alla in Isin Local Government Area and Famole in Ifelodun Local Government Area at about the same time,” the source said.

“In Gaa-Alla, two people were kidnapped, but in Gaa-Oke Abba, we are still trying to determine the number of persons taken away by the gunmen.”

Another source told Afrika Eyes that the attack on Famole community resulted in one fatality following an exchange of gunfire between the attackers and local defenders.

“The bandits’ attack on the Famole community in the night resulted in one fatality after an exchange of gunfire,” the source said.

Famole community is located along the Share-Okeode Road near the Oyi River in Oke-Ode Ward II of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Residents said the attacks have heightened fears across communities in the two local government areas, which have witnessed increasing incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks in recent months.

Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report from a victim recently released by kidnappers has indicated that a traditional ruler in Ifelodun Local Government Area may have died in captivity despite the payment of a substantial ransom by his community.

According to the source, the traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area was allegedly killed by his abductors after spending about one month in captivity.

The monarch was reportedly kidnapped approximately one month ago, triggering efforts by members of the Olayinka community to secure his release through negotiations with the kidnappers.

The source told Afrika Eyes that after prolonged discussions, the kidnappers demanded a ransom package which the community eventually provided in a desperate bid to save the monarch’s life.

The ransom reportedly included ₦21 million in cash, two new motorcycles and one jerrycan of petrol.

Despite meeting the kidnappers’ demands, the monarch was allegedly not released.

According to the source, the tragic revelation emerged from a person who was recently freed by the same group of kidnappers in Sagbe, Kwara State.

“The traditional ruler of Olayinka was kidnapped about a month ago. The community negotiated with the kidnappers and paid everything they demanded,” the source said.

“The ransom included ₦21 million cash, two brand-new motorcycles and a jerrycan of petrol. Unfortunately, despite the payment, the monarch was not released.

“A victim who was recently released by the kidnappers in Sagbe disclosed that the traditional ruler had died while in captivity.”

The source added that the development has thrown the Olayinka community into mourning, as residents who had contributed towards securing the monarch’s freedom are now grappling with reports that their efforts may have been in vain.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies in Kwara State had not issued an official statement regarding the coordinated attacks on the affected communities or the reported death of the traditional ruler in captivity.