Gunmen suspected to be terrorists abducted Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, the traditional ruler of Aafin Community, and his son Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, during an attack on the royal palace in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State. The assault occurred around 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, when armed attackers stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, shooting sporadically and breaking down doors to gain entry. During the raid, the queen consort, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but managed to escape abduction and was later taken to a hospital for treatment. At least 10 family members and visitors were inside the palace celebrating the holiday season when the gunmen struck.
A palace eyewitness, speaking anonymously, described the terrifying sequence of events: “I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00pm and immediately alerted those inside. We began locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting. They gained entrance and demanded to see the Kabiyesi. They also asked for his wife, but she had already been hit by a bullet. Kabiyesi came out and they took him. They later discovered Olaolu in hiding and seized him as well.” The community’s two-member vigilante unit on duty was unable to confront the heavily armed attackers, who targeted the palace specifically without attacking other houses. The incident comes amid escalating insecurity in Kwara South communities, following the recent release of another traditional ruler, the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, who was freed after 25 days in captivity following payment of a substantial ransom exceeding N25 million.