By Adesakin Adefemi
Police in Kwara State are questioning 42 suspected illegal miners following the abduction of Oba Salman Aweda, the traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, who was taken from his palace by gunmen on Saturday evening.
Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo confirmed the arrests on Monday. He said 10 armed men broke into the monarch’s palace, demanded money the royal had earlier received from miners, and abducted him alongside his brother.
Ojo said the monarch handed over the money to the assailants. During the movement, the monarch’s brother became exhausted and told the abductors to kill him. The gunmen tied him to a tree and continued with the monarch, who remains missing.
“Immediately we got wind of the development, we swung into action, using drones and other logistics, and we eventually arrested 42 illegal miners in the community,” Ojo said. He said the suspects are in custody at the police headquarters in Ilorin.
The commissioner said investigations were ongoing and he could not confirm whether the kidnappers were among those arrested. The identities of the detainees have not been released.
Community sources told PUNCH Metro that the abductors contacted residents on Saturday and demanded ₦400 million for the monarch’s release. The police have not commented on the ransom claim.
Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area Abdulrasheed Yusuf confirmed the abduction on Saturday. He said the council is working with security agencies to secure the monarch’s release and met with residents after the incident.
Yusuf said security personnel, forest guards and local vigilantes have intensified search operations in surrounding areas. He appealed to residents to provide useful information to aid the investigation.
The chairman urged the people of Olayinka to remain calm and assured them that authorities were taking all necessary steps to ensure the monarch’s safe return. He said security measures were being strengthened under the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
