Gunmen storm palace in Kwara, abduct monarch and his son

Gunmen have abducted the Aniwo 1 of Aafin community, Ile-Ire District, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun and his son, Olaolu, in a violent attack on the palace.

A group of about eight gunmen allegedly stormed the palace around 8pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, shooting sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.

A family source who was inside the palace when the attack unfolded told Punch on Thursday that panic ensued as the assailants opened fire.

“Around 8pm, I noticed some strange movements outside and I immediately alerted those inside. We started locking all the doors and switching off inner lights, but when they realised what we were doing, they began shooting sporadically,” the source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen forced their way into the palace by breaking down the door with guns and demanded to see the Oba.

“They are about eight in number because I saw them from where I was hiding. They used their guns to break down the door, gained entrance and requested for the Kabiesi, and he came out.

“They were asking for his wife too, but she has been hit with a bullet in the arm, during their attempt to gain entrance” the source said.

The assailants also seized one of the monarch’s sons who came out from hiding with the Olori (queen), the source added.

The abducted monarch’s son is currently observing his National Youth Service Corps programme. 

“We were about 10 in the palace around that time to come spend the holiday with Kabiesi, so everyone was hiding during the incident. One of the sons who was with the Olori came out to avoid casualties as they were shooting and breaking down doors,” he said.

He added that the leader of the attackers spoke very good English and appeared to be targeting the monarch and his wife specifically.

“The leader of the kidnappers spoke good English and the only thing they were asking is the Kabiesi and when he came out, they were asking for his wife too.

“After they left, we quickly took the Olori to the hospital yesterday night,” the source said.

He said the town vigilante could not repel the attackers, as only two members were on duty as of the time

The town vigilante could not do much because they were two that came out that time and they couldn’t match the firepower of the assailants.

“We have not heard anything from them since they left with the Oba and his son. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our aid,” the source said.

“When we left Aafin last night, we made a report at the Owu Isin Divisional Police and also when we got to Ijara Isin, we informed the police there too. The joint local security network at Ikosin was also informed, and also the Kabiesi of Oke Aba.”

The spokesperson of the Kwara State Police, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the confirmed the incident, but said details were still being collated.

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