No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across the southern area of Kwara State have fled their palaces following a sustained wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks.

 

Saturday Punch gathered from two credible community leaders that the affected monarchs were seeking refuge in urban centres, including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos.

 

Findings show that some of the affected traditional rulers are from Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo, and Igbo Agbon communities. While some have been away from their domains for months, others have been out for nearly a year.

 

Their displacement, triggered by repeated attacks by armed groups, has created a leadership vacuum in their communities.

 

A resident of Omugo community, Wale Olasunkanmi, said his traditional ruler, known locally as Eesa, fled due to fear of abduction.

 

“In the past, our traditional rulers were always around. They lived among us and provided leadership during crises. But now, they don’t stay here anymore. They only come occasionally for meetings or special occasions and leave immediately.

 

“When attacks became frequent, it was no longer safe for them to remain in the palace. Even ordinary residents are afraid, so you can imagine what it means for a king who is always a target.”

 

Olasunkanmi recalled that a major attack on the community in March 2026 marked a turning point. “After the bandits attacked the church on March 22 and abducted about eight people, many families started leaving. The fear was too much. People abandoned their homes overnight.”

 

He added that while there had been a slight improvement in security in recent weeks, the absence of traditional rulers continued to affect coordination and decision-making. “Even as some people are trying to return, there is no strong leadership on the ground. That makes it difficult to rebuild confidence.”

 

Further findings showed that Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo communities have been largely deserted since June 2025 following repeated bandit incursions. The situation escalated after an attack on a marble mining site near Oreke-Okeigbo on June 4, 2025, where two police officers were killed.

 

A palace worker, Samuel Afolayan, said the attacks marked the beginning of mass displacement. “Initially, they were just stealing food and livestock. But later, they started kidnapping and killing people. That was when everyone began to leave.

 

“As I speak to you, I have not been to Oreke since June last year. The king is not there, the palace is empty, and the entire community is deserted. Even neighbouring villages along that axis have been abandoned.”

 

Afolayan described the area as “completely isolated,” adding that basic social and economic activities had collapsed.

 

Similarly, the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, has not returned to his domain since he was abducted alongside his son on New Year’s Eve. Gunmen invaded his residence in December 2025 and kidnapped the monarch and his son, who is a corps member.

 

While the son was released after about 21 days, the monarch regained his freedom after a ransom reportedly exceeding N30 million was paid. A palace source said the monarch was still undergoing treatment.

 

A resident of Olayinka community in Ifelodun LGA recounted a recent attack: “It was like a war scene. They came with guns and started shooting. People were running in different directions. Before we knew what was happening, Kabiyesi had been taken.” He added that the attackers appeared to have prior knowledge of activities in the palace.

 

In September 2025, the Baale of Ogbayo in Oke-Ode was killed in his palace. Earlier, in February 2024, the Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, was killed in his palace, while his wife and another person were abducted. In November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Oba Kamilu Salami, was abducted on his farm and released after about 25 days in captivity following payment of ransom. Ransom demands in recent cases have ranged between N40 million and N400 million.

 

The Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch in Kwara South, Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, said the signs of mass displacement were long ignored. “There was a time we raised the alarm that communities were being deserted, but people did not take it seriously. The development is really troubling and disturbing.

 

“Today, more than 28 communities with traditional rulers in Ifelodun have been abandoned. Places like Olayinka, Oro-Ago, Omugo, Ahun, Oke-Oyan, Owa-Kajola, Owa-Onire, and Oba have become ghost towns. Farms are abandoned, schools shut, markets dead. The reality we warned about has become undeniable.”

 

Residents said the crisis had severely disrupted agriculture and worsened food insecurity. A trader from Oro-Ago, Bose Adeyemi, said she had relocated to Ilorin. A retired civil servant, Janet Adebisi, said she had abandoned her investments.

 

A socio-political advocate in Kwara State, Abdul-Rahoof Bello-Labelabe, raised concerns over what he described as the worsening security situation in Kwara South, particularly in Ifelodun LGA. He claimed that many traditional rulers no longer resided in their domains due to safety concerns. He also linked the worsening insecurity to illegal mining activities and weak local structures.

 

The monarch of Osi community in Akure North LGA, Oba David Olajide, advised his colleagues to adopt measures to protect themselves and their subjects. He lamented that some rulers had abandoned the traditions of their communities. “In the olden days, no one dared to touch a king. Today, our monarchs have abandoned traditional ways of protection.”

 

Meanwhile, local vigilante groups say they are struggling to contain the situation due to poor equipment and limited support. A vigilante member in Ifelodun, who identified himself as Musa, said armed groups had taken over forests in the area.

 

The Chairman of the Igbomina Professional Association, Bode Iranloye, described the situation as alarming. “This menace has destroyed the peaceful nature of our communities. It has affected agriculture, commerce, and communal life.”

 

A security analyst, Sadiq Lawal, said, “When criminals begin to target traditional rulers, it is a clear indication that authority structures have collapsed. In many African societies, kings are seen as sacred and untouchable. Once they become targets, it means the criminals are no longer afraid of consequence.”