Bandits numbering about 20 reportedly invaded the palace of the monarch of Adanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Boxing Day, kidnapping seven members of the royal family and injuring two others, according to the Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Mr Olaitan Oyin-Zubair.
Oyin-Zubair said the attack occurred at about 6:30 pm on Friday, December 26, 2025, when the assailants marched into Adanla community on foot and headed straight for the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba David Adedumoye, the Elerin of Adanla Irese in the Igbaja District.
He noted that the bandits spent nearly an hour ransacking the palace, during which there was no visible security presence.
During the invasion, the attackers abducted seven members of the royal family, injured two persons and carted away mobile phones and other valuables.
They also reportedly took food items and cooking pots used for Christmas Day celebrations, as another ceremony was scheduled to hold the following day.
As of December 31, 2025, the victims’ whereabouts remained unknown, while the bandits were said to have demanded a ransom of ₦300m, allegedly contacting the monarch directly.
Oyin-Zubair disclosed that the monarch was not in the palace at the time of the attack, having travelled to Ilorin earlier that day.
According to eyewitnesses, the bandits asked for the king and his queen upon arrival.
The monarch reportedly left the palace around 4 pm and only learnt of the abduction upon his return later that evening.
Although soldiers and local vigilantes were alerted, the attackers had already fled before security operatives arrived.
He added that while this was the first attack on the palace, kidnapping had occurred previously in the area.
A woman was earlier abducted at Oniyangi farms in the Adanla axis, where she sold charcoal, and was held captive for about a month before her release after a ₦5m ransom was paid.
She was freed only a few days before the palace invasion.
The vigilante leader described the palace attack as suspicious, suggesting the possibility of insider involvement.
He explained that one of the bandits appeared to know specific individuals within the palace, directing others on who to abduct and who to leave behind.
The suspect reportedly wore a mask, spoke both Yoruba and Fulani, though his Yoruba was not fluent, and repeatedly asked for the monarch and his wife.
Oyin-Zubair said more than 10 bandits entered the palace, while others stayed outside to coordinate the operation.
Since the incident, security forces and local vigilantes have continued to comb surrounding bushes, though no arrests have been made.
On measures to curb insecurity, he said governments at all levels had deployed soldiers, trained forest guards, supported local vigilantes and increased police patrols.
However, he noted that kidnapping remains a persistent challenge in Kwara State and across the country.
He expressed optimism that the continued deployment of soldiers and trained forest guards could yield results.
He said the dry season offers an advantage, as reduced vegetation makes it easier to detect criminal hideouts.
According to him, the hilly terrain, thick forests and caves in parts of Kwara South, particularly Irepodun and Ifelodun, have made it difficult to flush out bandits.
He said collaboration with the Air Force, including targeted airstrikes on hideouts, alongside support from local vigilantes familiar with the terrain, could help curb the menace.
Describing Adanla as a peaceful agrarian community with hardworking residents, Oyin-Zubair called for stronger collaboration between the government and local vigilantes.
He said vigilantes possess deep knowledge of the terrain and are driven by community interest rather than financial gain.
He added that they require incentives such as adequate equipment and ammunition.
While commending the Kwara State Government for its support so far, he urged sustained assistance to grassroots security groups.
On the issue of state police, Oyin-Zubair expressed reservations, citing concerns over politicisation, corruption and possible conflicts with the Nigeria Police.
He said he preferred a regional security outfit similar to Amotekun in the South-West, which he believes has recorded better results in tackling insecurity.
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