Tension in Kwara as Ojibara of Bayagan is kidnapped

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

Armed men on Saturday abducted the Ojibara of Bayagan, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, while he was working on his farm in Bayagan, a community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to reports, the monarch was seized at about 9:30 a.m. by bandits who invaded his farm, wielding AK-47 rifles.

Concern was raised when fellow farmers could not locate the traditional ruler and later discovered his motorcycle abandoned on the farm, prompting a search by residents.

A community source, who spoke anonymously, said a farmer from a neighbouring village witnessed the abduction. The eyewitness, who hid inside a guinea corn farm, reported seeing the armed men force the monarch onto a motorcycle before speeding away in an unknown direction.

The eyewitness reportedly monitored the situation from a safe distance before returning to alert the community. As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers have not contacted the family or the community, nor has any ransom demand been made, heightening tension in the area.

“We are living in fear. Nobody knows what will happen next. The safety of our ruler and the entire community is at stake,” a family member said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, said she had not yet been briefed on the incident but promised to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer in the area for updates.

“I’m not aware yet, but I will get in touch with the DPO in that area and provide updates shortly,” she said.