Gunmen Abduct Kwara Monarch Son During Palace Raid Queen Shot

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Fear has gripped Aafin Community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State following a violent attack on the royal palace that led to the abduction of the traditional ruler and one of his sons.

The monarch, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, was reportedly abducted alongside his son, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, after suspected terrorists stormed the palace at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2026.

Sources disclosed that the attackers arrived at the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere and immediately began firing sporadically before forcefully breaking into the building, throwing the entire community into panic amid growing insecurity in Kwara South.

During the invasion, the Olori (queen consort), Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm. Although she escaped being abducted, she sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

An eyewitness at the palace said the gunmen struck suddenly after unusual movements were noticed outside the premises.

“Around 8:00 pm, I observed strange activity outside and alerted those inside. We started locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised what we were doing, they began shooting,” the source said.

The eyewitness added that the assailants demanded to see the Kabiyesi and also asked for his wife, who had already been hit by a bullet.

“Kabiyesi later came out, and they took him away. They also discovered Olaolu, who was hiding, and abducted him as well,” the source narrated.

At the time of the attack, at least ten family members and visitors were reportedly inside the palace, having gathered to celebrate the New Year.

The community’s vigilante group, which allegedly had only two operatives on night duty, was unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.

“The vigilantes could not do much because they were just two on duty. The gunmen went straight to the palace and did not attack any other house,” the eyewitness added.

The latest abduction has intensified fear in the area, coming just weeks after the release of the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Oba Kamilu Salami, who was kidnapped from his farm in the same local government area and held captive for about 25 days.

His eventual release sparked celebrations within the community after a large ransom was reportedly paid in two instalments. At the time, community spokesperson Ayinla Lawal confirmed that residents raised the ransom without government assistance.

“Our elders appealed that the exact amount should not be made public, but it was substantial,” Lawal said.

He further revealed that the abductors initially rejected a ₦10 million payment before demanding an additional ₦15 million prior to releasing the monarch.