Kwara monarch, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan, and six other captives, recently escaped from a kidnappers’ den following a fierce gun battle between local vigilantes and the armed bandits holding them hostage.
Details of the Escape
Incident Date: The monarch was abducted on a Saturday (November 29, 2025) and escaped on the following Sunday evening (November 30, 2025).
Location: The abduction occurred at his farm in the Bayagan community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The escape happened in a forest area near Igbaja.
Method: Local vigilantes launched a coordinated attack deep inside the forest hideout. The ensuing fierce gun battle created the opportunity for the monarch and the other captives to flee.
Ransom Demands: The bandits had initially demanded a staggering N150 million for the monarch’s release.
Current Status: The monarch and the six others had not yet safely returned to their community as of the initial news reports but had made contact to confirm their escape.
Other Monarch Escapes
Several other traditional rulers in Nigeria have also escaped from kidnappers’ dens in the past through various means:
Imo Monarch: In a separate incident, Eze Joel Ndenkwo, a traditional ruler in Imo State, escaped when his abductors were reportedly asleep or smoking Indian hemp, allowing him to untie himself and crawl away to a nearby house for help.
Calabar Monarch: In 2021, an 81-year-old traditional ruler in Calabar was rescued by the swift response of Operation Akpakwu’s elite unit and community youths after the kidnappers had been shooting for an extended period to scare people away.
