Kwara monarch regains freedom 25 days after abduction

File Copy: The abducted monarch, Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Kamilu Salami

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The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted 25 days ago by bandits, has been released.

PUNCH Metro exclusively gathered on Wednesday that the monarch, who was kidnapped on his farm, regained his freedom on Tuesday night.

Residents of the community were thrown into a frenzy of joy following the monarch’s return.

The palace was reportedly flooded with jubilant residents who thronged the premises to catch a glimpse of their monarch and congratulate him and his family on his safe return.

The community spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, confirmed the development in a message on Wednesday morning.

In an interview, Lawal disclosed that the monarch was released after a huge ransom, paid in two instalments, was given to the bandits.

He said only members of the community contributed the money demanded by the kidnappers before the monarch’s release.

“I am happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was freed on Tuesday night,” Ayinla said.

“Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that the amount should not be disclosed, so I will not be able to state it, but it was huge. The local and state governments did not come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.

“Only members of the community contributed the money. It was really tough for us, and that was why it took a long time before our monarch was released.

“Above all, we thank Almighty God that he returned alive, and we also thank the media and members of the community for their support.”

It would be recalled that Ayinla had stated two weeks ago that the bandits refused to release the monarch after the community paid an initial ransom of N10m.

“We took the money to the location where they asked us to drop it, but they later demanded an additional N15m, which we struggled to raise in the community,” he said.

Expressing confidence that the bandits would not strike again, Ayinla said more vigilantes and hunters had been recruited to secure the community.

He added that with these measures in place, residents who fled the area were expected to return.

Ayinla also disclosed that the monarch was taken to Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday morning for urgent medical attention.

The monarch’s immediate younger brother, identified simply as Aliyu, who drove him to a private hospital in Ilorin, also confirmed the development to journalists on Wednesday.

Aliyu, who was sent by the community to pay the ransom in two instalments, said he was initially afraid to visit the bandits due to fears of being kidnapped.

“Their location is very far. One would hardly believe that the place is still part of Kwara State. You cannot describe or locate them because they keep moving around the terrain and do not stay in one place. They usually spoke with me using Kabiesi’s phone to tell me where to meet them.

“I cannot even identify any of them because they always wear hoods.

“At a point, I was very scared and told the community that I could not go again, but they said I was the only one who could do it as the monarch’s immediate younger brother.

“I was encouraged. Thank Almighty God, I was not detained by the bandits, and our monarch is back alive,” he said.

Efforts to speak with the monarch were unsuccessful, as he was said to be resting.

“You cannot speak with Kabiesi until after some days,” Aliyu said, adding that he was staying with the monarch at the hospital in Ilorin.

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