Terrorists kidnapped Oba Salman Olõúnjí Aweda, the traditional ruler of the Olayinka village in Kwara State's Ifelodun Local Government Area, early on Saturday morning.

According to reports, the kidnappers have demanded N400 million in ransom to free him.

The terrorists, who numbered over ten, broke into the monarch's home at midnight, forced the door open, and kidnapped him together with another resident, according to witnesses.

It was learned that the perpetrators first led both victims into the bush. But along the way, the second kidnapper allegedly told the gunmen that he was unable to walk since he was without shoes and challenged them to murder him if they so desired. The attackers allegedly proceeded with the monarch after tying his wrists and legs to a tree.

On Saturday morning, Mr. Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, the chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, made a sympathetic visit to the village. He reassured locals that the monarch's release was being pursued.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.

He claims that in order to guarantee the safe rescue of the kidnapped monarch, security officers, forest guards, and neighborhood vigilantes have stepped up search efforts in the surrounding territories.

Residents' tension has increased as a result of the kidnapping; many are worried that it portends a return to insecurity in Kwara South.

Source