No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across the southern part of Kwara State have fled their palaces following a sustained wave of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks, reporters have learnt.
Correspondents gathered from two credible community leaders that the affected monarchs are seeking refuge in urban centres, including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos.
Findings show that some of the affected traditional rulers are from Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo, and Igbo Agbon communities. While some have been away for months, others have been absent for nearly a year.
Their displacement, triggered by repeated attacks by armed groups, has created a leadership vacuum in their communities.
A resident of Omugo, Wale Olasunkanmi, said his traditional ruler, known locally as the Eesa, fled due to fear of abduction.
“In the past, our traditional rulers were always around. They lived among us and provided leadership during crises. But now, they only visit occasionally for meetings or special occasions and leave immediately,” he said.
He recalled that a major attack on March 22, 2026, when gunmen attacked a church and abducted about eight people, marked a turning point for the community.
Further findings showed that Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo communities have been largely deserted since June 2025 following repeated attacks.
Similarly, the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, has not returned since he was abducted alongside his son in December 2025. Although both were later released after ransom payments, the monarch is reportedly still receiving medical care.
Across the affected communities, farms have been abandoned, schools shut down, and markets rendered inactive as residents flee to safer locations.
The latest attack occurred in Olayinka community, where gunmen abducted the monarch, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda, his wife, and another resident. Police later confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners in connection with the incident.
Residents described the attack as chaotic, with gunmen shooting indiscriminately before taking the monarch away.
The spate of attacks highlights a troubling trend in Kwara South, where traditional rulers are increasingly targeted. In recent cases, ransom demands have ranged from ₦40 million to ₦400 million.
Security experts warn that attacks on traditional rulers signal a breakdown of authority structures, while community leaders say the crisis has disrupted agriculture, worsened food insecurity, and displaced thousands of residents.
