A traditional ruler in Kwara State, the Ojibara of Bayagan, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, has been abducted by armed bandits, throwing the quiet community of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area into panic.
The monarch was seized around 9:30am on Saturday while on his farm, according to information gathered by Vanguard.
The assailants, said to be wielding AK-47 rifles, reportedly stormed the area and whisked him away.
His disappearance was first noticed by nearby farmers who raised the alarm after finding his motorcycle abandoned on the farmland. A search was immediately launched by community members.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a farmer from a neighbouring settlement witnessed the attack from where he was hiding inside a guinea corn field.
The eyewitness reportedly saw the gunmen forcefully placing the traditional ruler on a motorcycle before speeding away.
As of Saturday evening, neither the family nor the community had been contacted by the kidnappers, further heightening fears among residents.
“We are living in fear. Nobody knows what will happen next. The safety of our ruler and even the entire community is at stake,” a family source lamented.
When reached for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adeyemi, said she had not received a briefing on the incident but promised to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer in the area for updates.
“I’m not aware but I will get in touch with the DPO in that area and give you updates shortly,” she said.
The abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara, coming on the heels of recent mass kidnappings in Ekiti Local Government Area.
In the past two weeks, bandits abducted 38 worshippers from a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, killing three.
Although the victims were later rescued, another attack followed within 24 hours, during which at least 20 residents of Isapa were taken and remain in captivity at press time.
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