…“The bandits dismissed the ₦4 million as ‘recharge card’ money and threatened to kill the captives and attack the community if the ransom is not paid,”
KWARA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | More than 22 people are currently in captivity across several communities in Kwara South, as bandits demand a combined ransom of over ₦400 million, alongside food items and drinks, for their release.
The affected communities, Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin and Owa-Onire are areas without established military formations by either the state or federal government. Findings by indicate that the bandits relocated to these communities after security forces were deployed to areas such as Okeode, Babanla and Eruku, where military bases had been set up, forcing the criminals to seek out locations with minimal or no security presence.
At present, nine persons, including the monarch of Afin in the Ile-Ere district, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, his son Olaolu, and a youth corps member abducted in December, remain in captivity. Another nine victims abducted in Isapa are also being held, along with two persons kidnapped on the Isanlu-Isin highway earlier this year.
In Owa-Onire, two persons abducted in December are still being detained by the bandits. The Olowa of Owa-Onire, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi who himself was abducted in 2024 and released after the payment of ₦5 million told journalists on Friday that the two captives from his community remain with their abductors.
According to the monarch, “I spoke with them yesterday. We have paid ₦2 million already, and the ransom has been negotiated down to ₦800,000, in addition to a list of food items and drinks they demanded before the two victims can be released.”
Lamenting the lack of security in the area, Oba Fabiyi appealed to the state government to urgently facilitate the establishment of a police station in Owa-Onire to curb the rising cases of abduction.
“They operate freely here because there is no security presence. Our fear is that once they finish the money, food and drinks we give them, they will return to abduct more people. We urgently need security to prevent this recurring tragedy,” he said.
Similarly, Oba Simeon Olanipekun recounted his ordeal in the hands of the bandits and described the challenges faced by security agencies in tracking them.
“The forest is vast, with many routes, and they know the terrain very well because they have operated there for decades. That is why they warn captives not to attempt escape,” he said, adding that the size and complexity of the forests have made security operations difficult. He also appealed to the government to provide adequate security for his people.
Commenting on the situation, the Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, said efforts to arrest and neutralise bandits in the region have been hampered by several factors.
“The terrain characterised by expansive forests, hills, caves and porous borders offers a safe haven for criminals. There are also reports that some locals provide them with food, shelter and intelligence, which complicates security operations,” he said.
Olaitan further noted that poor communication infrastructure, including the absence of surveillance tools such as drones, and weak coordination between security agencies and host communities have slowed progress. However, he said the state government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, has begun addressing these issues through the deployment of forest guards and joint patrols.
He added that recent operations have recorded some success, with several bandits neutralised and suspects arrested for supplying weapons, food and other logistics. “The government has made it clear that it will not tolerate banditry and remains committed to restoring peace in the region,” he said.
Despite these efforts, Olaitan disclosed that no breakthrough has been recorded regarding the ₦300 million ransom demanded for the release of nine victims abducted in Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.
“The bandits have contacted community leaders three times, insisting that the victims will not be released unless the ₦300 million ransom is paid,” he said.
The nine victims were seized after the bandits failed in an attempt to abduct the community’s monarch, Oba David Olarinoye, and his wife. The king was reportedly away in Igbaja for an engagement when the attackers struck. Seven victims were abducted from the palace, while two others were captured on their way into the bush.
In Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area, the Akeweje of Isapa land, Chief Idowu Sunday, said 11 persons remain in captivity, with the bandits demanding ₦35 million for their release.
He disclosed that a pregnant Hausa woman among the captives was recently taken to a stream in Oro-Ago, a neighbouring town, after she began experiencing labour contractions.
Chief Sunday explained that the bandits initially demanded ₦300 million, citing a previous ₦350 million ransom paid for victims abducted at CAC Oke-Isegun in Eruku. After negotiations, the demand was reduced to ₦35 million. However, when the community sent three representatives with ₦4 million to secure the release of some captives, two of them were seized, increasing the number of captives to 11, while the third narrowly escaped.
“The bandits dismissed the ₦4 million as ‘recharge card’ money and threatened to kill the captives and attack the community if the ransom is not paid,” he said.
Appealing for urgent government intervention, the traditional ruler said, “We know what these bandits are capable of. We cannot take their threats lightly. We don’t want our people killed. The government must please come to our aid.”
