The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, has regained his freedom after spending 25 days in the custody of bandits.
PUNCH Online gathered that the monarch, who was abducted on his farm, was released on Tuesday night.
His return sparked widespread jubilation in the community, with residents pouring into the palace to welcome him and congratulate the royal family on his safe return.
Spokesperson of the community, Ayinla Lawal, confirmed the development in a message on Wednesday morning, saying the monarch was released after a ransom, paid in two instalments, was raised solely by members of the community.
In an interview, Lawal explained that neither the local nor the state government intervened during the ordeal, adding that the delay in securing the monarch’s release was due to the difficulty in raising the demanded sum.
He stated, “I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night.
“Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that we should not disclose the amount, so I won’t be able to tell you the amount, but it was huge.
The local government and state government didn’t come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.
“Only members of the community contributed the amount, it was really tough for us in the community and that was why it took a longer time before our monarch was released.
Above all, we thank Almighty God that he came back alive and we also thank the media and members of the community for their support.”
It would be recalled that Lawal had earlier disclosed that the bandits reneged on an initial agreement after a payment of N10 million, demanding an additional N15 million before releasing the monarch.
“We took the money to the place where they said we should drop it but they said we should pay them another N15 million which we struggled to raise in the community,” he stated.
Lawal expressed optimism that the community would be safer going forward, noting that more vigilantes and hunters had been recruited to secure the area.
He added that displaced residents were expected to return home following the monarch’s release.
He also disclosed that the traditional ruler was taken to Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday morning for urgent medical attention.
The monarch’s immediate younger brother, identified as Aliyu, who conveyed him to a private hospital in Ilorin, also confirmed the development.
Aliyu, who was tasked by the community to deliver the ransom in two instalments, said the journey to meet the bandits was fraught with fear, given the risk of being kidnapped himself.
Their location is very far, one can’t believe that the place is still part of Kwara State.
You can’t even describe or locate the place because they move around the terrain, they don’t stay in a particular point.
They used to speak with me on Kabiesi’s phone to inform me where I should meet them.
“I can’t even identify any of them because they’re always on hood.
“At a point, I was seriously afraid and I told the community that I couldn’t go again, but they told me that I’m the only person who can go, being the monarch’s immediate younger brother, so I was encouraged.
Thank Almighty God, I was not detained by the bandits and our monarch is back alive,” he said.
Efforts to speak with the monarch were unsuccessful, as he was said to be resting after the ordeal.
“You can’t talk to Kabiesi until after some days,” said Aliyu, who was with the monarch at the hospital in Ilorin.