Kwara Police Detain 42 Illegal Miners Following Violent 400 Million Naira Ransom Abduction of Olayinka Monarch

Kwara police detain 42 suspects following the abduction of Oba Salman Aweda. Abductors demand 400 million naira ransom as forest search operations intensify.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 11:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Armed Incursion and Palace Breach in Kwara South

Security stability in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was shattered on Saturday evening when a traditional ruler was forcibly taken from his residence. Oba Salman Aweda, the monarch of the Olayinka community, was abducted by a group of approximately ten armed individuals who stormed the royal palace. The attackers reportedly used force to breach the palace doors, specifically targeting the traditional leader in an operation that has sparked fresh security concerns throughout the Kwara South region.

Targeted Extortion and the Mining Connection

According to Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo, the abduction appeared to be a strategically timed robbery. The gunmen entered the palace shortly after a group of miners had paid homage to the monarch. Upon gaining entry, the assailants demanded the specific sum of money that the miners had previously given to the traditional ruler. Although the monarch complied and handed over the funds immediately, the gunmen proceeded to abduct him along with his brother, dragging them away into the surrounding terrain.

Mass Arrests and Ongoing Investigative Efforts

In the wake of the kidnapping, the Kwara State Police Command launched a large scale response utilizing advanced logistics, including surveillance drones. This operation led to the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners within the community. While Commissioner Ojo could not yet confirm if the specific kidnappers were among those detained, all 42 individuals are currently being held at the police headquarters in Ilorin for questioning. The investigation remains active as authorities work to establish a definitive link between the illegal mining activities and the palace raid.