The kidnappers who abducted Kwara monarch, the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, his son, and other residents have demanded a total ransom of N450 million for their release.
The monarch was abducted on Wednesday night, December 31, 2025, when gunmen reportedly stormed the royal palace in Aafin community, Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA, at about 8pm.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that about eight armed men invaded the palace, firing sporadically and forcing entry into the building.
According to reports, the abductors are demanding N150m for the release of the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, while an additional N 300m has been demanded for the release of eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the development, stating that ransom negotiations had begun for both sets of abductees.
“Only two days ago, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of the Adanla abductees. Today, they demanded N150 million for the monarch and his son” he said
During the abduction, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later taken to a hospital for treatment. The attackers subsequently abducted the monarch and his son, while the local vigilante group was reportedly overwhelmed.