Residents of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State,Nigeria were thrown into panic after gunmen kidnapped the community’s traditional ruler, the Ojibara of Bayagan, Oba Kamilu Salami.
The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, while the monarch was on his farm. The attackers, who were said to be armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the area and forcefully seized him before fleeing the scene.
According to a resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity, a farmer from a neighbouring village witnessed the abduction while hiding in a guinea corn farm. The eyewitness allegedly saw the monarch being forced onto a motorcycle at gunpoint and taken away in an unknown direction.
Reports later revealed that the abductors contacted the community in the early hours of Sunday and demanded a ransom of N150 million for the ruler’s release. To prove that the monarch was truly in their custody, they compelled him to speak directly with members of the community.
During the conversation, Oba Salami was reported to have pleaded with his people to intervene and negotiate with the kidnappers for his quick freedom. He disclosed that he had been taken through thick forest paths on a motorcycle for more than five hours before reaching the location from which the call was made.
The monarch also informed the community that other individuals had been abducted in a neighbouring area around the same time he was being taken away.
As at the time of reporting, there was no confirmation of his release, and residents have continued to live in fear as they await further development.
Source:Africa Publicity
