Suspected bandits have reportedly attacked the palace of a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the monarch, his wife, and another individual in the early hours of Saturday.

According to local sources, the armed assailants stormed the palace at about 1:40 a.m., firing sporadically before taking the royal father to an unknown destination. The attackers were said to be heavily armed, causing panic among residents and leaving those present unable to resist.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the monarch and the other victims were taken without resistance as fear gripped the community during the нападение.

The abducted monarch was reportedly among those recently elevated and officially installed by the Kwara State Government earlier this year, making the incident particularly alarming for residents.

This latest attack is said to mark the third abduction of a traditional ruler in Kwara South within the past year. In 2025, two monarchs in the region were kidnapped by suspected bandits and were later released after ransom payments were made.

Community members have expressed growing concern over the trend, describing the repeated targeting of traditional rulers as a serious security threat. Residents say the situation has heightened fear across the area and are calling for urgent intervention by government and security agencies.

As of the time of this report, security authorities have not issued an official statement on the incident. However, efforts to rescue the abducted monarch and others are believed to be ongoing.

In related incidents, a traditional ruler abducted in Ifelodun Local Government Area in late 2025 regained his freedom after several weeks in captivity, reportedly following the payment of ransom. Similarly, another monarch who was kidnapped alongside his son in early 2026 was later released after spending days in captivity, with sources indicating that a ransom was also paid.