Gunmen on Wednesday night stormed the palace of Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, a traditional ruler in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, and abducted the monarch alongside one of his sons. The attack occurred at the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire District, throwing the entire area into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the armed men, reportedly numbering about eight, arrived at the palace around 8:00 p.m., firing gunshots to scare residents. They forcefully broke into the palace and demanded to see the monarch, whom they later dragged away along with his son, identified as Olaolu Olaonipekun, a serving NYSC member.
During the invasion, the monarch’s wife, Olori Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm while trying to resist the attackers or protect her family. She was later rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, where she is said to be receiving care.
The incident has been reported to security agencies, including nearby police divisions and local vigilante groups, who have launched a search operation. As of the time of filing this report, the abductors have not made contact, while residents express growing concern over the rising insecurity in parts of Kwara State.