• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

A source in the community told SaharaReporters on Friday that the victims have been held by the terrorists since December 2025, even after the substantial ransom payment aimed at securing their release. Residents of Adanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused security operatives and the state government of neglecting nine villagers who remain in captivity months after being abducted by bandits, despite the community reportedly paying over N40 million in ransom. A source in the community told SaharaReporters on Friday that the victims have been held by the terrorists since December 2025, even after the substantial ransom payment aimed at securing their release. The nine villagers were kidnapped on December 26, 2025, when armed bandits stormed the palace of the community's monarch, Oba Olarinoye. The attackers had reportedly targeted the monarch and his wife (queen consort) but, finding them absent at the time, abducted nine residents who were present at the palace instead. The monarch was said to have travelled to Igbaja town for an event when the attack occurred. The victims were allegedly taken into the surrounding forest by the bandits. Despite the community's efforts to negotiate and the reported payment exceeding N40 million, the villagers remain in captivity several months later. Residents have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of decisive action by security agencies. "Our official security agencies aren't proactive. Imagine paying over N40 million to get the release of the Adanla abductees since December 26 last year, yet they are still in captivity," the source lamented. Residents say the prolonged captivity of the victims has heightened fear in the community, while calling on security operatives and the Kwara State Government to urgently intervene and ensure the safe return of the abductees. Kidnapping of traditional rulers has become a recurring incident in Nigeria. For instance, on December 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that terrorists had released Oba Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, after 25 days in captivity. SaharaReporters learned that the traditional ruler was freed following the payment of a ransom by his family and members of the community. Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal, a senior member of the royal family, later confirmed the monarch's release to SaharaReporters and disclosed that residents of Ojibara at home and in the diaspora jointly raised the ransom demanded by the abductors. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/03/06/nine-villagers-remain-captivity-months-after-paying-over-n40million-ransom-kwara