Ilorin, Nigeria — Suspected bandits invaded the palace of a traditional ruler in Adanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday, December 26, 2025, abducting seven members of the royal family and injuring two individuals, according to a local vigilante leader.
The palace targeted belongs to His Royal Majesty Oba David Adedumoye, the Elerin of Adanla Irese in the Igbaja District. Mr. Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, said the assailants “invaded Adanla community and went straight to the monarch’s palace” at about 6:30 p.m. on Boxing Day.
Oyin-Zubair described the attackers as a group of approximately 20 bandits who raided and ransacked the palace for nearly an hour. The vigilante leader said the assailants also seized personal items, including mobile phones and food supplies prepared for a festive celebration.
The bandits entered the community on foot without the use of vehicles, according to eyewitness accounts. The monarch was not present at the palace when the attack occurred. He had reportedly left earlier for Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, and returned to learn of the abductions later.
Oyin-Zubair stated that the abductors have since made contact with the monarch and demanded a N300 million ransom for the release of the victims. As of the most recent reports, the seven abductees remain missing and their conditions are unknown.
Security forces, including soldiers and local vigilantes, responded to distress calls and conducted patrols after the raid, but the assailants had fled before they arrived, the vigilante coordinator said. Efforts to locate the bandits and the abductees are continuing, with combing operations underway in surrounding forests.
This incident follows broader trends of kidnappings and armed attacks in parts of Kwara State and other regions, with similar abductions prompting ransom demands. In a related development, suspected kidnappers demanded N450 million for the release of a monarch, his son, and other residents in a separate abduction earlier in the state, according to reports from credible news outlets.
The attack on the Adanla palace has heightened concerns about rural security and the capacity of local security arrangements in forested and agrarian communities. The Royal Council of Kwara State has not issued a formal statement on the palace invasion at the time of filing.
Authorities and community leaders are urging continued cooperation between security forces and local vigilance groups to prevent further incidents. Investigations into possible insider involvement are ongoing as part of efforts to disrupt bandit networks operating in the area.
