Abducted Kwara Monarch Dies in Captivity Despite N18m Ransom Payment

KWARA STATE, Nigeria – The traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, has been confirmed dead after spending two months in the hands of kidnappers, plunging his community into mourning. The monarch was abducted from his palace on April 17, 2026, by heavily armed men who stormed the residence, and despite the payment of a substantial ransom and other demands, he was not released alive. The tragic confirmation came via a voice message from a member of a community committee that had been involved in ongoing efforts to secure his freedom. In the audio, the committee member informed residents that multiple interventions by family members, community leaders, clerics and concerned stakeholders had failed to bring the monarch home alive, leaving the community in a state of profound grief and shock.

The ordeal began on the evening of April 17, 2026, when about ten heavily armed men forced their way into the monarch’s palace in the Olayinka community. According to reports, the gunmen broke down the entrance door and demanded money that a group of miners who had visited the king earlier that day had given him. While the monarch reportedly handed over the cash, he was still abducted alongside his brother. The abductors, believed to be part of criminal gangs known locally as bandits, took the traditional ruler into the forest but abandoned his brother, who became exhausted during the forced trek. The brother was reportedly tied to a tree while the kidnappers continued into the forest with the monarch, leaving the community in a state of panic and desperation.

Following the abduction, the Kwara State Police Command swung into action, deploying operational resources to track the suspects. The operation led to the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners in the community. However, authorities noted that it was yet to be established whether any of the arrested miners were directly involved in the abduction, as investigations continued to unfold. The police commissioner later explained that the attackers had specifically demanded the money that miners had given the monarch earlier that day, suggesting a possible connection between the illegal mining activities and the abduction.

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In the weeks that followed, the abductors opened negotiations with community representatives, demanding a hefty ransom for the monarch’s release. The conditions for his freedom included N21 million in cash, two brand-new motorcycles, and a jerrycan of petrol. Desperate to bring their king home, the community mobilized to meet these demands, paying a huge sum of money, reportedly about N18 million of the N21 million demanded, along with the motorcycles and fuel. Despite the community’s efforts and the payment of the ransom, the kidnappers failed to release the monarch. According to reports, when community members sought to speak with their king, the abductors demanded additional money, raising suspicions that he had already died in their den. A victim who was recently released by the same group of kidnappers initially informed the community about the monarch’s death and urged them to stop further extortion attempts by the bandits.

The news has thrown the Olayinka community into a state of profound grief and shock. The committee member who announced the death described it as the will of God and urged residents to accept the outcome with faith. He said, “Allah in His mercy said in the Holy Qur’an that we all human beings on earth belong to Him, and to Him we shall return, whether when we expect it or when we do not expect it.” He continued, “This is to inform the Olayinka community, both male and female, young and old, that our beloved father, His Royal Highness Alhaji Salman Olatunji, the monarch of Olayinka, has answered the call of his Creator. The will of God has come to pass on him.” The speaker explained that earlier reports and speculations about the monarch’s condition had now been confirmed, noting that extensive rescue efforts did not yield the desired result. “All the rumours everyone has been hearing from different angles, and all the efforts that have been made by family members, residents, committees and Islamic clerics, have now led to this moment,” he said. He called on residents of the community to accept the loss with faith, stressing that both Muslims and Christians should see it as a divine decree. “Oh Allah, we accept our fate. All the indigenes of Olayinka, both Muslims and Christians, should please accept the will of God,” he added.

The committee member disclosed that plans had been concluded for Islamic funeral prayers, despite the fact that the monarch’s remains had not yet been recovered. “As required by Islamic rites, all members of the Olayinka Muslim community in Lagos are requested to gather by 8 a.m. to perform prayers and Janazah for him,” he said. “Although we have not been able to locate his body, Islam teaches that funeral rites can still be performed even when the deceased is not physically present,” the source added, providing some measure of spiritual closure for the grieving community.

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Initial reactions from authorities were marked by caution and uncertainty. The Kwara State Police Command initially expressed doubt over the reports, with the Commissioner of Police describing the information as unverified. Similarly, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Femi Yusuf, said he had not received any official briefing on the matter. However, the confirmation from the traditional council leadership has since put the tragic news beyond doubt. The Secretary of the Ifelodun Traditional Council, Elder Chief Omisola Amos Olayinka, confirmed the monarch’s death, stating that the community had initially dismissed reports as a rumour but later received internal confirmation. “We paid a huge sum of money including motorcycles and fuel as demanded by them yet the man still died in their custody. We are in a mourning mood now,” he lamented. The monarch had reportedly just been given a first-class status, and the ceremony to mark it had not yet been held before his untimely death, adding another layer of tragedy to the loss.

The death of Oba Aweda has not only thrown the Olayinka community into mourning but has also renewed urgent concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity across parts of the country. For years, members of criminal gangs known locally as bandits have carried out killings and kidnappings for ransom, mainly targeting those in the northwest, but they have been moving to other parts of the country more recently. Parts of Kwara have seen a rise in attacks on rural communities, with armed groups increasingly targeting highways, farms and traditional leaders. The monarch’s death serves as a stark reminder of the growing wave of insecurity in Kwara State and the urgent need for authorities to address the scourge of kidnapping and banditry that continues to claim innocent lives.

Abducted Kwara Monarch Dies in Captivity Despite N18m Ransom Payment