Gunmen Abduct Kwara Monarch, NYSC Son in Night Attack on Ile Ere Palace

Gunmen Abduct Kwara Monarch, NYSC Son in Night Attack on Ile Ere Palace

There was panic and confusion in Ile Ere community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Wednesday night after armed bandits abducted the traditional ruler, HRH Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, alongside one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.

Sources told Newstrends that the attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m., when eight heavily armed gunmen stormed the royal palace, firing shots into the air before forcefully gaining access to the inner chambers.

A family source present during the incident said the attackers appeared to have come specifically for the monarch and his wife, Felicia Olaonipekun.

“I noticed unusual movements outside the palace around 8:00 p.m. and raised the alarm. We locked the doors and switched off the lights, but once they realised, they began shooting,” the source said.

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According to him, the gunmen broke into the palace and demanded to see the Kabiyesi, who later came out to meet them. The attackers also asked for the monarch’s wife, but she had already been shot in the arm during the attack.

The source further disclosed that Olaolu, the monarch’s son currently serving under the NYSC scheme, was abducted after emerging from hiding.

“There were about ten of us in the palace, as we had come to spend the holiday with Kabiyesi. Everyone went into hiding during the attack. After the gunmen left, we rushed the Olori to the hospital that same night,” he said.

Community sources revealed that the local vigilante group could not repel the attackers, as only two operatives were on duty and were overwhelmed by the bandits’ superior firepower.

“The vigilantes could not do much because they were just two. The leader of the attackers spoke very good English and came straight to the palace. They did not attack any other part of the town,” the source added.

The incident was reportedly reported to several police formations, including the Owu Isin and Ijara Isin divisions, as well as the joint local security network in Ikosin. Neighbouring traditional rulers were also alerted.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no confirmed contact with the abductors, while residents appealed to the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the monarch and his son.

Efforts to obtain official reaction from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adeyemi, were not answered at press time.

Gunmen Abduct Kwara Monarch, NYSC Son in Night Attack on Ile Ere Palace