Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have abducted the monarch of Aafin Community, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, and one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, during a late-night attack on the royal palace in Kwara State.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2026, at Aafin Ile-Ere in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area. Witnesses said the assailants stormed the palace, firing sporadically into the air to create panic before forcing their way into the premises.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Olori Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped abduction. She was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.
An eyewitness told Benue Info-pedia that the attackers appeared to have deliberately targeted the palace, swiftly overpowering the community’s two-man night vigilante team. At the time of the raid, no fewer than 10 family members and visitors were reportedly inside the palace.
The abduction has further heightened security concerns in Kwara South, coming just weeks after the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Oba Kamilu Salami, regained his freedom following the payment of a hefty ransom by members of his community.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while residents of the area have expressed fear and called for urgent intervention to curb the rising wave of kidnappings in the region.
