No fewer than 30 traditional rulers across Kwara South have abandoned their palaces amid a surge in kidnappings, killings and violent attacks sweeping through the region.
As reported by PUNCH, investigations revealed that the affected monarchs have relocated to safer urban centres, including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa and Lagos, leaving their communities without leadership for months, and in some cases, nearly a year.
The development has created a growing vacuum in local governance, with residents lamenting the absence of royal authorities traditionally relied upon for coordination during crises.
Communities affected include Omugo, Afin, Oreke, Oreke Oke-Igbo, Olohuntele, Alabe, Ganmu Ailehri, Ologanmo and Igbo Agbon, among others, where persistent attacks by armed groups have forced both rulers and residents to flee.
A resident of Omugo, Wale Olasunkanmi, said fear of abduction compelled their traditional ruler to abandon the palace.
“In the past, our rulers lived among us and provided leadership, especially during crises. Now, they only visit occasionally for meetings and leave immediately. It is no longer safe,” he said.
He recalled that a March 22, 2026 attack on a church in the community, during which about eight persons were abducted, marked a turning point as panic spread and residents fled en masse.
“Even though there is slight improvement in security now, the absence of leadership is affecting coordination.
People are returning gradually, but there is no strong authority to restore confidence,” he added.
Findings showed that Oreke and Oreke Oke-Igbo have remained largely deserted since June 2025 following repeated bandit incursions.
The situation worsened after an attack on a marble mining site near Oreke Oke-Igbo on June 4, 2025, where two police officers were killed, triggering mass displacement.
A palace worker, Samuel Afolayan, described the area as abandoned.
“The king is not there, the palace is empty, and the entire community has been deserted.
Even neighbouring villages have been vacated,” he said, adding that economic and social activities had collapsed.
In Afin, the Oniwo, Simeon Olaonipekun, has yet to return to his domain after he and his son were abducted on New Year’s Eve 2025.
Gunmen invaded his residence and held them captive for weeks. While his son regained freedom after about 21 days, the monarch was released after a ransom reportedly exceeding N30m was paid.
A palace source disclosed that the monarch was still receiving medical treatment following the ordeal.
“Kabiyesi went through severe trauma. Given his age, doctors advised him to rest, which is why he has not returned,” the source said.
The spate of attacks has devastated the affected communities, with farms abandoned, schools shut and markets paralysed as residents fled to safer areas.
The latest incident occurred in Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed the palace of Salman Olátúnjí Aweda in the early hours of Saturday, abducting him, his wife and another resident.
Police authorities later confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners in connection with the abduction, while sources said the kidnappers demanded about N400m ransom.
A resident, who identified himself as Tunde, described the attack as chaotic.
“They came shooting. People ran in different directions. Before we realised what was happening, the king had been taken,” he said.
He added that the attackers appeared to have insider knowledge, as miners had earlier visited the palace to pay royalties.
“They demanded the money collected earlier. Even after it was handed over, they still abducted him. Since then, everyone has fled,” he said.
Across Kwara South, traditional rulers have increasingly become targets of violent attacks.
In September 2025, the Baale of Ogbayo in Oke-Ode was killed in his palace, while in February 2024, the Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Olusegun Aremu-Cole, was murdered, with his wife and another victim abducted.
Similarly, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Kamilu Salami, was kidnapped in November 2025 and released after spending about 25 days in captivity.
Sources involved in negotiations revealed that ransom demands in such cases often range from N40m to as high as N400m, placing heavy financial strain on victims’ families and communities.
Residents say the growing trend underscores deepening insecurity in the region, warning that unless urgent action is taken, more communities could be completely deserted.