The Joint Security Watch Kwara South has strongly condemned the abduction of a traditional ruler and two others in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the incident as a troubling escalation of insecurity in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group’s coordinator, Elder Olaitan Oyin Zubair, confirmed that the occurred around 1:00 a.m. in Olayinka community, Agunjin District, where gunmen kidnapped a monarch identified as Alhaji Saliman Aweda, his wife, and another individual.
Zubair expressed concern over the recurring wave of kidnappings across Kwara South, noting that similar incidents had previously been recorded in communities such as Idofin Odo Ase, where schools were shut for months due to insecurity.
“We cannot continue to watch our traditional rulers and innocent citizens fall prey to kidnappers. The time for decisive, coordinated action by all security agencies is now,” he said.
He described the latest as unacceptable and warned that continued inaction could worsen the already fragile security situation in the area. According to him, there is an urgent need for a multi agency intervention to restore public confidence.
Zubair also renewed calls for the deployment of full scale military operations by the Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade to support ongoing efforts by other security agencies in the region.
He commended ongoing operations by security personnel, including reported efforts by Captain Abiola and his team in nearby communities such as Oke Oyan, Owa Kajola, and Owa Onire, which have led to some rescues in recent times.
However, he stressed that more sustained and coordinated action is required, urging the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to treat the security challenges in Ifelodun and the wider Kwara South axis as a top priority.
The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, also condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and a clear signal that local security structures must be strengthened urgently.
Following the , forest guard operatives have reportedly launched rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted monarch and other victims.
The incident has thrown Olayinka community into panic, with several residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further s as security agencies intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victims.
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