Like hawks that prey on their targets, suspected bandits have made traditional rulers particularly in Kwara-south their prime target in recent times with the latest being the abduction of a newly-installed monarch in Ifelodun local government area of the state. Blueprint.ng Correspondent reports
Just recently, suspected bandits abducted the newly-installed Baale in Olayinka community, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara of state. This happened just after the monarch was installed by the state government.
The abductors reportedly stormed the palace in Olayinka on April 18 2026, abducted the traditional ruler, his wife and one other individual during a midnight raid.
The attack, which occurred around 1:40 am, saw the armed assailants firing sporadically before they whisked their victims away.
Confirming the incident in Ora, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini said the attack underscores the worsening security situation across neighbouring communities.
“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe. We have gallant vigilantes and soldiers. With the support of the president, within a week, there could be significant progress,” he had said.
The monarch further disclosed that the attack came barely days after a similar incident in nearby Odo-Ore, thereby heightening fears of a coordinated pattern of kidnappings in the axis.
Local collaborators
Kwara state Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo, had at a press briefing blamed the waves of kidnapping on what he called local collaborators.
“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.
Speaking further on local collaborators, the police boss also cited an instance where an unsuspecting victim was lured to a cashew farm by a close associate who then invited some kidnappers that abducted him.
“Luckily, the victim escaped around Egbe in Kogi state and on return, he alerted the people of the community leading to arrest of the suspect. In the process of carrying out investigation, the suspect slumped and died. We are still on their trail,” he said.
The latest incident marked the third abduction of traditional rulers in Kwara south senatorial district within a year.
How it started
It could be recalled that the attacks on traditional rulers particularly, in Kwara south started in February 2024 when
gunmen invaded the palace of Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti local government area and killed the traditional ruler General Segun Aremu (rtd). In the melee, the gunmen whisked away the wife of the monarch and two others.
Koro in Kwara is a neighbourhood town of Irele/Oke Ako/Ipao/Oke Aiyedun and Ikole of Ekiti state. The communities had in recent times become the hub of killings and kidnappings.
In December 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Kamilu Salami was kidnapped and later released after ransom payment.
In February 2026, the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun was abducted alongside his son though regained freedom after a likely ransom
Residents recount ordeals
Residents of Olayinka community described the latest raid as terrifying and unprecedented.
Community members are calling for urgent government and security intervention to protect traditional rulers who appear to have become prime targets for criminal gangs.
Chairman of Ifelodun local government area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf described the incident as disturbing while assuring that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said.
He disclosed that a joint search and rescue operation involving security operatives, forest guards and local vigilantes had been launched across forests and surrounding communities towards ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted monarch.
The Kwara-north experience
Beyond Kwara-south, bandits have extended their activities to Kwara-north in a trend that is also assuming a dangerous dimension. In the wake of attacks on the region, traditional rulers in the area have paid dearly for resisting the infiltration of insurgents in their communities.
The latest was during the February 2026 massacre of 176 persons by terrorists in Woru and Nuku communities of Kaiama.
During the attack, two wives of
Emir of Woru, Alh Saliu Umar Bio, some of his children, the Chief Imam of Woro were reportedly killed.
The Emir’s palace was also razed by the attackers allegedly linked to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction operating across parts of the North-central and Sahel regions.
High expectations
The Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu had on assumption of duty in March made Kwara his first port of call. The visit which was his first outside Abuja came a month after he led a clearance operation of bandits hibernating in the area before his appointment.
A month after leading the clearance, he was elevated to IGP position by President Bola Tinubu, a development that raises the hope of communities affected by activities of bandits and related criminal elements.
As early as 9 am, officers and men of the command, members of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Forest Guards and Fulani group gathered at the headquarters of the command to receive the new IGP.
Renewed commitment
At the Ahmadu Bello seat of power Ilorin, Disu assured the governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of a renewed commitment of the Force to combat crimes in collaboration with other state actors.
Relying on his experience when he led a special task force on clearance operations in the state a few weeks ago, Disu said he is aware of challenges in the state.
“Don’t forget that about a month ago, I was in Kwara state leading a police component of the clearance operation that took place here in Kwara. So, I’m aware of the situation; I’m aware of all the arrests made, I’m also aware of the present situation that we have.
“I have come here today to see my officers to encourage them, most especially to see the governor and thank him for the wonderful things he has been doing for officers of the command.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the police are waking up to their responsibilities to prevent the breakdown of laws and orders. We are ready to do that.”
Morale boosting
For officers and men of the command, the High point was his visit to the state police headquarters where he interacted with them and vowed that the police and other security agencies would not allow bandits to take over any community under his watch.
Addressing the men and stakeholders, he urged affected communities to cooperate with the police against the criminals.
“I know what is happening in Kwara. I know the problem because I led a clearance operation against bandits about a month ago; that is why I am here on operational visit as the IGP.
“Bandits cannot purse us out of our towns, we are the owners of our towns; we are not going to allow them. We are all going to take back our towns from them”, he said.
He urged stakeholders particularly the Fulani community to continue to provide credible information that could support the police in their operations.
The IGP praised the state government for providing the right support, assuring that more would be done under him to stem the tide of insecurity in the state.
Citizen’s expectations
While security operatives are at the forefront of the battle against criminal elements, the police boss said citizens equally have roles to play as he urged them to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in tackling insecurity.
Ethnic profiling
The police boss also cautioned against ethnic profiling, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any ethnic group.
Disu was reacting to a demand from representatives of Fulani intelligence network that their members should be allowed to be part of police intelligence operation so that their innocent members would not be made to suffer unjustly.
He acknowledged the role of the Fulani intelligence network, noting that their cooperation had aided previous operations.
“I am happy that we have many Fulani people assisting us with our jobs. I say it with all authority, not all Fulanis are bad. We have good Fulanis who have been our neighbours for thousands of years,” Disu said.
Assurances
Representatives of the group pledged continued support for security agencies, assuring the police hierarchy of their readiness to provide timely intelligence to expose criminal hideouts.
They said peaceful Fulani residents remained committed to coexistence with host communities and would not allow criminal elements to tarnish their image.
The group also called for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to dismantle criminal networks swiftly.
Welfare
The IGP’s visit despite being an operational one, also afforded serving and retired police officers to raise issues about the need for improve welfare that would be at par with their colleagues in other agencies.
Responding, the IGP announced that he already has a welfare package for them, but assured them that he would dedicate a time to discuss more on areas while promising to attend to the myriad of challenges confronting the Force.
“Every day a policeman including myself, lives is a blessing. We are not always sure of returning home alive after we say goodbye to our families. I am going to look into your plight,” he assured.