Arrests in Nigeria after abduction of local monarch ‘held for ransom’

Authorities in Nigeria’s Kwara state have detained 42 individuals suspected of illegal mining operations as part of an inquiry into the recent kidnapping of a regional monarch. The Olayinka community’s ruler, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, was taken hostage on Saturday evening when armed assailants stormed his palace. The attackers reportedly sought a $300,000 (£221,000) ransom for his safe return, though this has not been officially confirmed by local officials.

Law enforcement is currently conducting search operations in the vicinity, with concerns intensifying over security in the region. Over the years, criminal gangs known as bandits have targeted individuals in the northwest, but their activities have expanded to other parts of the country in recent months. This has led to the formation of vigilante groups aimed at safeguarding communities from such threats.

Meanwhile, the jihadist group Mahmuda has been active in rural areas, with a notable attack in February that killed at least 75 people and targeted the family of a traditional leader who had denied the group permission to preach nearby. Kwara State Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo described how around 10 heavily armed men forced their way into the palace shortly after miners had visited the monarch.

“The terrorists broke down the door of his palace, fetched him from one of the rooms and demanded for money the miners gave him earlier in the day,” Ojo said.

Residents claim the monarch surrendered the funds but was still taken with his brother. The brother, who was barefoot, became exhausted and stated he could no longer continue. At this point, the kidnappers decided to tie the monarch to a tree and leave him behind. The gunmen then fled into the forest with the monarch, according to police reports.

Local officials are collaborating with security agencies and community vigilantes to ensure the monarch’s safe release. Recent incidents in Kwara state indicate an uptick in assaults on rural areas, with armed groups increasingly targeting highways, farms, and traditional leaders. In some cases, the abductors have used border forests to evade security forces.

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