Adekimi Ojo, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, says 42 suspected illegal miners have been arrested following the abduction of a traditional ruler, Oba Salman Aweda, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
Aweda, the monarch of Olayinka community, was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday evening by about 10 heavily armed men.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, Ojo said the attackers stormed the monarch’s palace after he had earlier received royalty payments from miners operating in the area.
According to the police commissioner, the gunmen forced their way into the palace, dragged the monarch from one of the rooms and demanded the money paid to him earlier in the day.
He said the monarch handed over the money before he was taken away alongside his brother.
“Immediately we got wind of the development, we swung into action, using drones and other logistics, and we eventually arrested 42 illegal miners in the community,” Ojo said.
“I cannot confirm whether those who abducted the monarch were among the illegal miners we arrested, but investigations are ongoing. All the suspects are currently at the police headquarters in Ilorin.”
Ojo added that the monarch’s brother, who was also abducted, later became exhausted while being marched away and refused to continue.
According to him, the abductors tied the brother to a tree and left with the monarch.
Residents of the community were said to have been contacted by the kidnappers, who allegedly demanded a ransom of N400 million for the monarch’s release.
Meanwhile, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, confirmed the abduction and described the incident as unfortunate.
He said the local government was working closely with security agencies to secure the monarch’s freedom.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.
Yusuf added that security personnel, forest guards and local vigilantes had intensified search operations in surrounding areas.
He urged residents to remain calm and support ongoing rescue efforts with credible information, assuring them that every necessary step was being taken to ensure the safe return of the monarch.
The incident has heightened concerns among residents over rising insecurity in Kwara South.
