JUST IN: Suspected Terrorists Abduct Kwara Monarch During New Year’s Eve Palace Attack

Suspected terrorists have abducted the monarch of Aafin Community, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, alongside one of his sons, Olaolu, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 8:00 pm on new year eve plunging residents into fear as insecurity continues to tighten its grip on Kwara South communities.

Reports have it that the armed men stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, shooting sporadically and forcing their way in after breaking down doors.

Meanwhile, during the attack, the king’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped being taken away.

A palace eyewitness who spoke described the moments leading up to the abduction, saying, “I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00pm and immediately alerted those inside. We began locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting.

“They gained entrance and demanded to see the Kabiyesi. They also asked for his wife, but she had already been hit by a bullet. Kabiyesi came out and they took him. They later discovered Olaolu in hiding and seized him as well.”

At least 10 family members and visitors were reportedly inside the palace for the holiday season when the gunmen struck.

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The vigilante unit in the community, which has only two members on duty at night, was unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.

Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun is the second Kwara monarch to be kidnapped in recent times after the abduction of Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu by terrorists 25 days ago.