Kwara Monarch, Six Others Escape From Bandits After Midnight Raid

The Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, has reportedly escaped from captivity alongside six other abducted persons, days after they were seized by armed bandits in a forested area of the state.

The traditional ruler was kidnapped on Saturday while working on his farmland in Bayagan.

Witnesses said he was forced onto a motorcycle by gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and taken into the bush. His motorcycle was later discovered abandoned at the scene. Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted community leaders and demanded a ransom of ₦150 million for his release, confirming he was alive.

Local reports indicate that several other victims kidnapped from surrounding communities were being held in the same forest camp.

Relief, however, came late Sunday when the monarch and the other captives managed to flee during a confrontation between the kidnappers and local vigilantes. According to sources, the vigilante operatives had traced the hideout to a forest near Eku Idaji, close to Igbaja, and launched a midnight raid. The sudden exchange of gunfire reportedly forced the bandits to abandon their captives as they fled deeper into the bush.

In the chaos, Alhaji Salami and the six others ran for safety and eventually contacted community leaders to confirm their escape, though they had yet to return physically to Bayagan as of the time of reporting.

The development has brought significant relief to residents, who had been anxious following the monarch’s abduction and the hefty ransom demand. It also underscores the escalating threats posed by bandits in parts of Kwara State, where rural communities and traditional rulers have increasingly become targets.

Security operatives and community vigilante groups are said to be continuing combing the area, as fears remain that the gang could attempt regrouping or retaliation.

Authorities are expected to make an official statement as further details emerge about the rescue and the condition of those who escaped.