Kwara: Monarch, woman abducted by suspected bandits

Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted the traditional ruler of Igbesi community in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, alongside several residents, during an attack on the community.

The attackers also reportedly kidnapped the first wife of the Baale of Dabu community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, popularly known as Iya Ayoka.

The separate incidents, which occurred in communities across Kwara South, have raised fresh security concerns among residents in the area.

The traditional ruler was reportedly abducted when suspected bandits attacked Igbesi at about 11pm on Saturday.

Sources said the attackers took the monarch and several other residents to an undisclosed location. As of Sunday, no ransom demand had reportedly been made for their release.

The abduction of the monarch was confirmed by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, on Sunday night that security agencies had commenced efforts to locate and rescue him.

Adekimi said, “The police were collaborating with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to secure the safe release of the traditional ruler”.

He explained that the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being established, adding that the late hour of the attack made it difficult to immediately determine the number of attackers involved.

The CP said, “Security operatives were already in the bush as part of efforts to track the perpetrators”, adding that his men had recovered some rustled cattle during the operation.

He, however, clarified that the recovered cattle were not connected with the abduction of the monarch.

In a separate incident, the first wife of the Baale of Dabu community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, popularly known as Iya Ayoka, was also reportedly abducted by suspected bandits.

The chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Femi Yusuf, confirmed the incident to Newsmen, saying security operatives were already on the trail of the abductors and working to rescue the woman.

He, however, described the incident as an isolated occurrence, stressing that the security situation in the council had improved considerably in recent times.