The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, has regained his freedom after being held captive by bandits for 25 days. The monarch, who was abducted from his farm, was released on Tuesday night, bringing relief and joy to residents of the community.
News of his release was confirmed by the community spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, on Wednesday morning. Lawal said the monarch was freed after a substantial ransom was paid in two installments. He also revealed that the entire amount was raised solely by the community, without assistance from the local or state governments.
“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night,” Lawal said. “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, and that was why it took longer for our monarch to be released.”
The return of the monarch sparked celebrations in Bayagan Ile. Residents thronged the palace, eager to catch a glimpse of their leader and to congratulate him and his family on his safe return. The palace was filled with jubilation as men, women, and children expressed their joy and relief at seeing their traditional ruler back home.
The ordeal of the monarch began when he was kidnapped from his farm 25 days ago, a period marked by fear and uncertainty in the community. Banditry has become an increasing security challenge in Kwara State, as armed groups frequently attack remote villages, abducting residents for ransom.
Ayinla Lawal had earlier disclosed that the bandits initially demanded N10 million, which the community struggled to raise. Even after the initial payment, the kidnappers demanded an additional N15 million, further prolonging the ordeal.
“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,” Lawal said.
The monarch was taken to Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday morning for urgent medical attention. His immediate younger brother, Aliyu, who helped deliver the ransom to the kidnappers, confirmed the development. He described the challenges he faced while dealing with the bandits, who constantly moved to avoid detection.
“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,” Aliyu said. “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 told the community I couldn’t go again, but they encouraged me as the monarch’s immediate younger brother. Thank Almighty God, I was not detained, and our monarch is back alive.”
Following the monarch’s release, the community has strengthened its security arrangements. Lawal stated that more vigilantes and hunters have been recruited to guard the village and prevent future abductions. He expressed confidence that with these measures, residents who fled the community during the kidnapping will return.
The abduction and eventual release of Ojibara Kamilu Salami highlight the ongoing challenges of banditry in rural areas of Nigeria. In recent years, kidnappings for ransom have escalated across several states, targeting both ordinary citizens and traditional leaders. Communities often rely on their resources to secure the release of abducted members due to delays in official government intervention.
Kwara State has witnessed multiple cases of bandit attacks in rural areas. Local authorities have struggled to curb the menace, despite efforts to deploy security forces and organize community vigilante groups. Residents of affected communities frequently complain that government response is slow, prompting them to take matters into their own hands.
The release of the monarch has been welcomed by traditional and community leaders across the state. Many have called for stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The local government has also been urged to work closely with state and federal security agencies to address the root causes of banditry and protect vulnerable communities.
For the people of Bayagan Ile, the return of their monarch is not just a relief but also a symbol of resilience. Over the past 25 days, the community had endured fear, uncertainty, and hardship, raising the required ransom to secure the life of their leader. Now, the focus has shifted to healing, rebuilding, and strengthening security to ensure that such a situation does not recur.
Residents and well-wishers have flooded the community with messages of congratulations and prayers, thanking God for the safe return of Ojibara Kamilu Salami. The monarch is expected to remain under medical supervision in Ilorin for a few days before resuming his duties in Bayagan Ile.
The successful release of the monarch after weeks in captivity also underscores the increasing need for coordinated efforts between communities and government authorities to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. It highlights the courage and sacrifice of local community members who risk their lives to protect their leaders and neighbours from armed criminals.