Nigeria Arrests 42 Suspects After Monarch Kidnapped in Kwara Ransom Attack
Police link arrests to investigation into palace raid as search continues for abducted traditional ruler in Kwara State.
- Nigerian police have arrested 42 suspected illegal miners in connection with the kidnapping of a traditional ruler in Kwara State
- Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda was reportedly seized by armed men who stormed his palace
- Security forces and vigilante groups have launched coordinated operations
Nigerian police have arrested 42 individuals suspected of illegal mining as part of investigations into the abduction of a traditional ruler in the country’s west.
The victim, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, the monarch of Olayinka community in the Ifelodun area of Kwara State, was kidnapped on Saturday evening when armed men reportedly stormed his palace.
Security authorities say search and rescue operations are ongoing in nearby forest areas, amid rising concern over increasing attacks on rural communities in the state.
Local sources indicate that the abductors are demanding a ransom of about $300,000 for the monarch’s release, although police have not officially confirmed the amount.
Kwara State Police Commissioner, Adekimi Ojo, said around 10 armed men invaded the palace shortly after a group of miners who had been operating in the area visited the traditional ruler.
He explained that the attackers allegedly demanded money previously handed over to the monarch by the miners. Although the king reportedly surrendered the cash, he was still taken away along with his brother.
The monarch’s brother was later released after being abandoned when he became exhausted during the escape, while the kidnappers fled with the king into a nearby forested area.
Authorities have since launched joint operations involving security forces and local vigilante groups in efforts to secure the monarch’s release.
Nigeria continues to battle widespread kidnappings and attacks by armed gangs, often referred to as bandits, particularly in the north-west. However, security experts warn that these groups are increasingly extending their activities into central and southern regions.
Kwara State has also experienced a rise in violent incidents. In February, the extremist group Mahmuda reportedly killed dozens in an attack on a Muslim community following a dispute involving a local traditional leader.
Analysts say the expanding network of kidnappers, militant groups, and criminal gangs is placing growing pressure on Nigeria’s security forces, especially in remote areas where forests provide cover for attackers.
