The son of Oba Simeon Olanipekun, the Oniwo of Afin in Ile-Ere district, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has been released after more than two weeks in captivity.
Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), regained his freedom on Monday, according to authoritative security sources who confirmed the development to Daily Post in Ilorin.
Details on whether a ransom was paid for his release were not disclosed.However, Oba Olanipekun and several other abducted residents remain in the hands of the armed bandits, who continue to demand millions of naira in ransom for their freedom.
The kidnappers had previously threatened to kill either the monarch or his son if their demands were not met.
The abduction occurred on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, when approximately eight armed men invaded the monarch's palace in Afin community around 8:00 p.m.
The attackers shot sporadically, broke down doors, and specifically targeted the traditional ruler and his family.
A family source present during the incident described the chaos: “I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00pm and immediately alerted those inside. We began locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting.”
The gunmen demanded to see the monarch ("Kabiyesi"), who emerged, while his wife, Felicia Olanipekun, had already been shot in the arm.
Olaolu came out of hiding and was also taken captive. About ten family members, gathered for the holidays, were in the palace at the time, with everyone hiding as the assault unfolded.
The injured queen was rushed to the hospital immediately after the kidnappers departed.The local vigilante group was unable to intervene effectively, with only two members on duty and overpowered by the bandits' superior firepower.
Notably, the leader of the attackers spoke fluent English, and the group focused solely on the palace without targeting other parts of the community.
The incident was reported to police divisions including Owu-Isin and Ijara-Isin, as well as the joint local security network in Ikosin, with neighboring traditional rulers also alerted.
As of the latest report, no official details have emerged on direct contact or negotiations with the abductors.
The community has appealed to the Kwara State government and security agencies to intensify efforts for the safe release of Oba Olanipekun and the remaining captives.
This development comes amid a broader wave of kidnappings in Kwara South, where bandits have demanded substantial ransoms in recent incidents, highlighting persistent security challenges in the region.
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