A sustained wave of abductions and violent attacks has forced at least 30 traditional rulers to flee their communities in Kwara State, creating a leadership vacuum and turning several towns into ghost settlements.
No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across southern Kwara State deserted their palaces following a sustained wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks, Saturday PUNCH reported on April 25, 2026. The affected monarchs sought refuge in urban centres including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos.
Moreover their domains lacked leadership for months, and in some cases for nearly a year. Communities impacted by the development included Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo and Igbo Agbon, where persistent insecurity forced both residents and traditional authorities to flee.
The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, remained away from his domain after gunmen invaded his residence in December 2025. The assailants kidnapped him and his son, who was a corps member. Although his son regained freedom after about 21 days, the monarch obtained release only after the payment of a ransom reportedly exceeding N30 million.
A palace source indicated that the monarch was still receiving medical treatment following his traumatic captivity and had been advised to avoid stressful conditions.
In another recent incident, ten heavily armed men stormed the palace of Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda in Olayinka community. The gunmen abducted the traditional ruler alongside his wife and another resident. The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adekimi Ojo, confirmed on April 20, 2026, that 42 illegal miners had been arrested following the abduction.
Ojo stated: “The terrorists broke down the door of his palace, fetched him from one of the rooms and demanded the money the miners gave him earlier in the day.” He further explained that the kidnappers tied the monarch’s brother to a tree and abandoned him when he became exhausted and refused to continue the journey.
Similarly, the Olowa of Owa Onire, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi, abandoned his palace on January 1, 2026, the day after terrorists attacked him. Speaking with a Vanguard correspondent, the monarch said: “Eight terrorists broke the gates and doors of my palace on December 31, 2025. They collected my phone and that of my Olori and some money I had with me at gunpoint.” He added: “If there’s no security in my community, I won’t return to the palace.”
A resident of Omugo community, Wale Olasunkanmi, explained that his traditional ruler fled due to fear of abduction. “In the past, our traditional rulers lived among us and provided leadership during crises,” he said. “But now, they don’t stay here anymore. When attacks became frequent, it was no longer safe for them to remain in the palace. Even ordinary residents are afraid, so you can imagine what it means for a king who is always a target.”
He recalled that a church attack on March 22, 2026, during which about eight persons were abducted, marked a turning point for the community as many families fled overnight.
A palace worker, Samuel Afolayan, stated that Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo communities remained largely deserted since June 2025. “Initially, they were just stealing food and livestock, but later, they started kidnapping and killing people,” he said.
“As I speak to you, the king is not there, the palace is empty, and the entire community is deserted. Even neighbouring villages have been abandoned.” The insecurity crippled economic and social activities across the affected areas, with farms deserted, schools shut down and markets inactive as residents continued to seek refuge elsewhere.