Picnews
The Kwara community is still in shock ten days after armed bandits seized their monarch, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, while he was working on his farm near his palace. Residents say the abduction has left the town on edge, with many fearing for their safety and the future of their traditional leadership. The incident has sparked a wave of grief and anger across the region.
Local leaders and family members have been holding daily vigils, pleading for the monarch’s safe return. They’ve set up a crisis committee to coordinate with security agencies, but so far there’s been little official communication from the police or the state government. The silence has only deepened the community’s anxiety.
The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N150 million, a sum far beyond what most families can afford. Community members have launched a fundraising drive, urging Nigerians both at home and abroad to contribute whatever they can to secure the release of their beloved traditional ruler.
In a statement, community spokesperson Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal expressed frustration over the lack of progress, calling on the Kwara State authorities to step up their efforts. He warned that continued inaction could erode trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens, especially in rural areas plagued by banditry.
The abduction comes amid a broader surge in kidnappings for ransom across northern Nigeria, highlighting the growing security challenges facing the country. Rights groups have repeatedly urged the federal government to adopt more robust strategies to tackle the crisis and protect vulnerable communities.
As the community waits, hope rests on the possibility that increased pressure from both local and national leaders will finally bring results. The people of Kwara are holding onto the belief that their monarch will return safely, and that his release will mark a turning point in the fight against bandit violence in the region.
