No fewer than 22 people are currently being held hostage by bandits across several communities in Kwara South, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a combined ransom of over ₦400 million, alongside food items and drinks, for their release.
The affected communities include Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin and Owa-Onire—areas said to be outside the coverage of existing military formations established by the state and federal governments.
Reports gathered that the bandits relocated to these vulnerable communities after intensified security presence was introduced in places such as Okeode, Babanla and Eruku, where federal authorities had earlier facilitated the establishment of military bases.
Currently, nine persons—including the monarch of Afin in the Ile-Ere district, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, his son Olaolu, and a youth corps member abducted in December—remain in captivity. The same applies to nine other victims abducted in Isapa, as well as two persons kidnapped earlier this year along the Isanlu-Isin highway.
In addition, two individuals abducted in Owa-Onire in December are still being held by the bandits.
The Olowa of Owa-Onire, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi—who himself was kidnapped in 2024 and released after the payment of ₦5 million—told journalists on Friday that the two victims taken from his community in December have not yet been freed.
According to him, “I spoke with the two of them yesterday. We have paid them ₦2 million and we have negotiated down to ₦800,000 and lists of foods and drinks, they gave us to also bring along with the amount before the two persons can be released.”
Lamenting the absence of security infrastructure in Owa-Onire, the monarch appealed to the Kwara State Government to urgently establish a police station in the community to curb the persistent kidnappings.
“They always operate freely here, we don’t have presence of security in Owa-Onire. Our concern is that whenever they exhaust the ransom money and foods and drinks we supplied they’ll come out again and abduct my people. So, we urgently need presence of security to discourage this kind of sad development,” he said.
Recounting his ordeal in captivity, Oba Olanipekun described the difficulty security agents face in confronting the bandits due to the terrain.
“The forests is extremely large and the routes are multiple and they know the routes because they have been existing there for decades. Thats why they always warn anyone not to attempt to escape,” he said.
“So the multiple routes and the largeness of the thick forests where they operate has been a major tasks for the security agents. That is why I’m pleading with the state government to provide security for my own people.”
Speaking on the situation, the Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, said arresting and neutralising bandits in the area has been difficult for several reasons.
“Arresting and neutralizing bandits in Kwara South has been challenging due to several factors. The region’s terrain, with its vast forests, hills and caves as well as porous borders, provides a safe haven for these criminals,” he said.
He added that the bandits allegedly receive support from some locals in the form of food, shelter and intelligence, further complicating security operations.
Additionally, he noted that “lack of effective communication (like drones etc) and coordination between security agencies and local communities has hindered efforts to combat banditry.”
Olaitan, however, said the Kwara State Government, working with federal security agencies, has begun addressing the challenges through the deployment of forest guards and joint patrols.
“Recent operations have yielded some successes, with security forces neutralizing several bandits and arresting suspects supplying them with guns, food, and other essentials,” he said, adding that the government has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace in the region.
He further disclosed that no progress has been made on the ₦300 million ransom demanded by bandits for the release of nine victims abducted in Adanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.
According to him, the kidnappers have contacted community leaders three times, insisting that “if the ₦300m is not paid, the victims will not be released.”
The bandits reportedly attempted to abduct the community’s monarch, Oba David Olarinoye, and his wife on Boxing Day but failed as the king was away in Igbaja for an event. They subsequently seized nine other residents, abducting seven from the palace and two along their way to the bush.
Similarly, in Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area, the Akeweje of Isapa land, Chief Idowu Sunday, said 11 persons are still in captivity, with the bandits demanding ₦35 million for their release.
He revealed that a pregnant Hausa woman among the captives was recently brought on a motorcycle to a stream in Oro-Ago after she began experiencing labour contractions.
Chief Sunday explained that the bandits initially demanded ₦300 million, citing a previous ₦350 million ransom allegedly paid in Eruku, but later reduced the demand to ₦35 million after negotiations.
He added that when three community members attempted to deliver ₦4 million as part payment, two of them were seized by the bandits, increasing the number of captives to 11, while the third escaped.
According to him, the bandits have threatened to kill the captives and attack Isapa residents if their demands are not met.
“We can’t take the bandits for granted because we know what they can do, we don’t want them to kill our people, so the state government should please come to our aid,” he said.
