The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was abducted by gunmen in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after spending nearly one month in captivity.
The traditional ruler was released on Wednesday night, weeks after his son, Olaolu, who was kidnapped alongside him, was freed following the payment of an earlier ₦20 million ransom.
A family source, who spoke to newsmen on the condition of anonymity due to security concerns, disclosed that the monarch’s release was secured after prolonged negotiations and the payment of an additional ₦12 million, alongside two power banks.
“It is true that the monarch was released on Wednesday night after we paid ₦12 million and two power banks in addition to the earlier ₦20 million,” the source said.
According to the source, the kidnappers released the monarch at a herders’ settlement around Oreke, also in Ifelodun Local Government Area, from where he was taken to a military base in Orekebefore his family was contacted.
The source added that Oba Olanipekun is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering both physical and psychological trauma during his captivity.
“He is in high spirits now. The family and the entire Afin community are grateful to everyone who contributed to his safe release,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the monarch’s release but stated that it had no knowledge of any ransom payment.
Speaking on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the monarch was reunited with his family following intensified joint security operations in the area.
“The ongoing joint security operations along that axis forced the bandits to flee. We are not aware of any ransom payment,” she said.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has consistently discouraged ransom payments and urged families of abducted persons to provide credible intelligence to security agencies.
The monarch, popularly known as Oniwo I of Afin community in the Ile-Ire District, was abducted on New Year’s Eve when about eight armed men stormed his palace around 8pm, firing sporadically before abducting him and his son, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
Olaolu was released two weeks later after negotiations and the payment of ₦20 million.
The incident sparked fear and outrage among residents of Afin community, who called on the state government and security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in rural parts of Kwara State.
The abduction is one of several high-profile cases recorded in the state in recent months, heightening concerns over worsening insecurity, particularly in southern Kwara.
