Kwara Insecurity Crisis: 30 Monarchs Flee as Kidnappings, Killings Intensify

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No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara South have reportedly abandoned their palaces following a sustained wave of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks that have left many communities deserted.

Findings indicate that the affected monarchs have relocated to safer urban centres, including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos, amid growing fears for their safety. Several of the impacted communities include Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo, and Igbo Agbon.

Community sources revealed that while some monarchs have been away for months, others have not returned for nearly a year, creating a significant leadership vacuum in their domains.

A resident of Omugo, Wale Olasunkanmi, said the traditional ruler fled due to the threat of abduction, noting that insecurity had made it unsafe for both leaders and residents to remain in the community.

“In the past, our traditional rulers lived among us and provided leadership, especially during crises. Now, they only visit occasionally and leave quickly. The fear of kidnapping is too high,” he said.

He recalled that a March 22, 2026 attack on a church in the community, during which about eight people were abducted, marked a turning point that triggered mass displacement.

Across the Oro-Ago axis, which comprises about 15 communities, including Ajegunle, Iragbon, Oke Ayin, Oyate, and Oke Daba, residents have reportedly fled their homes following repeated attacks by armed groups.

Similarly, Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo have remained largely deserted since June 2025 after violent incursions by suspected bandits. The crisis escalated following an attack on a marble mining site that led to the killing of two police officers.

A palace worker, Samuel Afolayan, described the situation as dire, stating that the communities had become isolated, with economic and social activities grinding to a halt.

“The king is not there, the palace is empty, and even neighbouring villages have been abandoned,” he said.

In Afin, the traditional ruler, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, has yet to return after he and his son were abducted in December 2025. While both were later released following the payment of ransom reportedly exceeding ₦30 million, sources say the monarch is still undergoing medical treatment due to the trauma.

The latest attack occurred in Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted the monarch, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda, alongside his wife and another resident. Security sources said suspects linked to illegal mining activities have been arrested in connection with the incident, while the kidnappers reportedly demanded about ₦400 million.

Residents described the attack as chaotic, with gunmen reportedly storming the palace in a coordinated operation.

The spate of violence has also claimed the lives of traditional rulers. In February 2024, the Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, was killed in his palace, while others have been abducted and released after ransom payments ranging from ₦40 million to ₦400 million.

Community leaders warn that more than 28 communities in Ifelodun LGA alone have been abandoned, with farming, education, and commercial activities severely disrupted, worsening food insecurity in the region.

A yam trader, Bose Adeyemi, who relocated to Ilorin, said insecurity had forced many farmers to abandon their livelihoods.

“No one wants to farm anymore because it is too dangerous,” she said.

The crisis has drawn criticism of the Kwara State Traditional Council, with residents questioning its response. While insiders say engagements with government and security agencies are ongoing, many believe the efforts have not been visible enough.

Security experts warn that the targeting of traditional rulers signals a breakdown of authority structures in affected communities, calling for urgent government intervention, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration between vigilante groups and formal security agencies.

As insecurity deepens, residents continue to flee, leaving once-thriving communities in Kwara South on the brink of collapse.