In Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, January 19, 2026, Prince Olaolu Olanipekun, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and son of Oba Simeon Olanipekun, Oniwo of the Afin community, regained his freedom following a period in captivity after armed bandits abducted him on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025.
The abduction occurred when a group of approximately eight armed men unlawfully entered the traditional ruler’s palace in the Ile-Ere district around 8:00 p.m., overpowering limited community security and seizing the monarch, his son, and several residents amid rising insecurity in southern Kwara communities. Oba Olanipekun and other victims remain in captivity, with armed bandits continuing to demand significant ransom payments for their release.
Security sources and community contacts confirmed that Prince Olaolu was released near a herders’ settlement in the Ifelodun area and later taken to a nearby military base, where authorities informed his family. He is currently undergoing medical care for the physical and psychological effects of his ordeal, reflecting the personal trauma inflicted by the incident.
Kidnappers are reportedly demanding additional payments for the release of the monarch and other abductees, underscoring the ongoing challenge of banditry and ransom-driven kidnappings in the region. Local leaders have appealed to state and federal security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of all captives and curb further violence targeting communities in Kwara State.
