The son of the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, has been released by his abductors following the payment of a N20 million ransom, family sources confirmed as efforts continue to secure the release of the monarch and others still in captivity in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after the youth was freed and taken into protective custody.
The freed victim, Olaolu Olanipekun, is a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who had been held by kidnappers since he and his father were seized in a violent attack on the family’s palace in Aafin, Ile‑Ere District on December 31, 2025.
Criminals stormed the palace in the early evening, firing sporadically and forcing entry before abducting the monarch and his son, residents said at the time.
Kidnapping for ransom has emerged as a pressing security challenge in parts of Kwara State, particularly in rural communities like Ifelodun where armed groups have targeted traditional leaders and residents.
The attack on the Oniwo’s palace drew widespread concern among local residents and heightened calls for intensified security operations following similar abductions in recent months.
Family sources said Olaolu was released on Monday, January 19, 2026, after negotiations with his captors, who received N20 million before freeing him at a location identified as a herders’ settlement near Oreke in Ifelodun LGA.
From there, he was transported to a nearby military base, where authorities contacted his relatives. Olaolu is currently receiving medical attention for physical and psychological trauma sustained during his ordeal.
Despite the son’s release, Oba Simeon Olanipekun remains in the custody of the kidnappers alongside other abducted residents from the palace incident. The armed group is reportedly demanding an additional N15 million to secure the monarch’s freedom, prolonging uncertainty for the royal family and community.
The initial abduction occurred during a violent assault on the royal palace on New Year’s Eve, when about eight masked gunmen reportedly forced their way into the compound around 8:00 p.m.
Local eyewitnesses said the assailants fired into the air and specifically targeted the monarch and his family, with the queen consort, Felicia Olaonipekun, sustaining a gunshot wound to the arm during the attack before escaping.
Local vigilante groups were unable to repel the heavily armed kidnappers, who overpowered the few defenders present. Since the abduction, negotiations have been ongoing between community representatives and the captors, with ransom demands evolving over time.
The ongoing captivity of the Oba and others highlights persistent security vulnerabilities in Kwara’s rural areas, where communities have raised concerns about the capacity of security agencies to prevent and respond to kidnappings.
The incident underscores the broader challenge of banditry and criminal violence disrupting peace and livelihoods in parts of the state.
While the release of Olaolu Olanipekun offers relief to his family and community, efforts to secure the monarch’s freedom continue.
Authorities and community leaders are calling for enhanced security measures and sustained engagement with law enforcement to ensure the safe release of all abducted victims and strengthen protective frameworks for vulnerable communities in Kwara State.
