Gunmen stormed the palace of Oba Simeon Olaonipekun in Kwara State on Wednesday night, abducting the traditional ruler and one of his sons in a brazen New Year’s Eve attack.
The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. in the Aafin community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, when about eight armed men began shooting indiscriminately before breaking down palace doors to gain entry.
During the raid, the monarch’s wife, Olori Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot and wounded in the arm.
The assailants, who witnesses said appeared to specifically target the royal family, seized Oba Olaonipekun and his son, Olaolu, who is a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
According to a family source, the local vigilante group was unable to repel the heavily armed attackers.
As of Thursday morning, the kidnappers had not made contact, and the community has appealed to security agencies for the safe return of the monarch and his son.
