Kidnapped Yoruba Oba Reported Killed By Bandits In Kwara After ₦21m Ransom Payment
A Kwara State citizen recently released by bandits has claimed that the traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area has reportedly died in captivity despite the payment of a substantial ransom by his community.
Oba Salman Adetunji Aweda was kidnapped from his palace in April.
According to the source, the monarch was abducted approximately one month ago by suspected kidnappers who later opened negotiations with members of the community.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded and received a ransom package consisting of ₦21 million in cash, two new motorcycles, and one jerrycan of petrol as conditions for the ruler’s release.
“The traditional ruler of Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area was killed by his abductors despite the ransom payment made by the community,” the source told SaharaReporters.
According to information relayed by the victim who was recently freed by the kidnappers in Sagbe, Kwara State, the monarch had already died while in captivity.
The source said the revelation came as a shock to members of the Olayinka community, who had hoped that the ransom payment would secure the monarch’s freedom.
“The kidnappers collected ₦21 million, two new motorcycles and a jerrycan of petrol from the community. Despite all efforts made to secure his release, a person who was recently released by the abductors in Sagbe disclosed that the monarch had died in captivity,” the source said.
The development has reportedly thrown the Olayinka community into mourning, with residents devastated that the ransom payment failed to secure the monarch’s return alive.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies in Kwara State had yet to issue an official statement regarding the coordinated attacks on the reported death of the traditional ruler.
However, residents have continued to call on authorities to intensify security operations across the area amid growing concerns over the worsening insecurity in parts of the state.
