Armed bandits walked into the palace of His Royal Majesty Oba David Adedumoye, the Elerin of Adanla Irese in Igbaja District, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, on Friday, December 26, 2025, abducting seven members of his family and injuring two during a raid that lasted nearly an hour, security sources and community vigilante leaders have confirmed.
According to Mr. Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, about 20 bandits marched into the village without vehicles, raided the palace around 6:30 pm, and abducted the victims after ransacking the premises and seizing valuables, including mobile phones and food items. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and negotiators reportedly received a ransom demand of N300 million for their release.
The traditional ruler was not present during the attack, having travelled to Ilorin earlier that day, community accounts state. Bandits reportedly asked for both the monarch and his queen, but upon finding them absent, seized other family members and left before security operatives arrived. Soldiers and local vigilantes responded but were unable to intercept the assailants.
Residents said the bandits took some ceremonial items and food prepared for a festive event, highlighting the boldness of the assault during the Boxing Day period which followed Christmas celebrations. Community members said they believe at least one of the attackers had local knowledge, noting that one bandit was able to identify specific people for abduction, speaking a mix of Yoruba and Fulani, though not fluent in Yoruba.
The incident forms part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting parts of Kwara State, where previous raids have occurred, including the abduction of residents in the Adanla area and separate kidnappings of traditional rulers in neighbouring communities. The ongoing demands for large ransom sums, including reports of a N450 million package for multiple kidnapped persons in the region, reflect rising financial pressures associated with banditry in the state.
Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and vigilante groups, have continued combing nearby forests and bushland in search of the abductees, but so far no rescue has been reported. Local leaders have called for increased support from state and federal security forces to counter the threat of armed banditry.
The Kwara State Government has been approached for comment on the palace invasion and the safety of the abducted family members, but no official statement had been made available at the time of publication. Further developments are expected as security operations continue, and negotiations reportedly persist to secure the release of the victims.
