The tranquil community of Aafin, situated within the Ile Ere district of Kwara State, has been thrust into a state of profound distress following the audacious abduction of its traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun.
In a harrowing assault that unfolded on the evening of the 31st of December 2025, a band of approximately eight heavily armed assailants described as bandits invaded the royal palace. The gunmen also seized the monarch’s son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who had returned home for the Yuletide festivities.
The incursion commenced at approximately 8:00 p.m., as the community prepared to usher in the New Year. Witnesses report that the assailants heralded their arrival with a volley of sporadic gunfire, intended to incite panic and subdue any potential resistance.
Eye-witness accounts suggest a chilling level of premeditation. “The assailants appeared to have come specifically for the monarch and his consort,” a source close to the palace revealed. Despite attempts by those within to barricade the doors and extinguish the lights, the gunmen breached the residence by force.
“They gained entrance and demanded the presence of the Kabiyesi,” the source continued. “They were also seeking his wife, Olori Felicia Olaonipekun, but she had already sustained a gunshot wound to the arm during the initial barrage.”
While the Olori was subsequently rushed to a medical facility for urgent treatment, the Oba and his son were marched into the night.
Remarkably, the leader of the raiding party was noted for his “eloquent English,” a detail that has added to the unsettling nature of the crime. Furthermore, the local vigilance group, comprised of only two officers on duty at the time, found themselves hopelessly outmatched by the sophisticated weaponry and superior numbers of the attackers.
The raid was surgical in its execution; no other properties within the town were targeted, suggesting the Royal House was the singular objective of the mission.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident, with a senior officer speaking on the condition of anonymity stating that a team of specialist detectives has been deployed to the district to facilitate a rescue operation.
“We are exploring all avenues of intelligence,” the officer stated, while appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the culprits. As of this report, the abductors have yet to establish contact with the family or the state authorities regarding a ransom.
The Aafin community has issued a formal appeal to the Executive Governor of Kwara State and relevant security agencies, imploring them to expedite efforts to ensure the safe and unconditional return of their traditional leader and his son.
