Oba Salman Aweda, his wife and another resident have been kidnapped emidnight invasion of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He was recently elevated by the state government.
The heavily armed gang stormed the palace of at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically to scare residents before taking him and two others to an unknown destination.
An anonymous local said the attack was swift and terrifying.
He said “there was fear everywhere. Nobody could confront them.”
The Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, confirmed the kidnapping, saying “just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe.”
Oba Yekini appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene, saying local security structures only require adequate support to stem the tide.
“We have gallant vigilantes and soldiers. With the support of the President, within a week there will be significant progress,” he added.
He said the invasion took place “days after a similar incident happened in nearby Odo-Ore.”
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, lamented that the attack was disturbing and assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
Yusuf who visited the attacked palace said “we are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies.” .
He said a joint search and rescue operation involving security operatives, forest guards and local vigilantes had been launched across forests and surrounding communities.
The LG Chairman said “the operation is aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted monarch,” and appealed for calm among residents and urged them to support ongoing operations with credible information.
“Community cooperation remains critical in addressing these challenges and restoring peace,” he said.
The state’s Commissioner of Police , Adekimi Ojo, said security operatives had intensified pressure on the perpetrators.
Ojo said “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 trai.”
