Terrorists have released Oba Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, after 25 days in captivity.
It was learned that the traditional ruler was freed on Tuesday at about 7:00pm, following the payment of a ransom by his family and members of the community.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal, a senior member of the royal family, confirmed the monarch’s release and disclosed that residents of Ojibara at home and in the diaspora jointly raised the ransom demanded by the abductors.
“We paid ransom when he had spent 15 days with the terrorists. They collected the money but refused to release him,” Lawal said.
“We had to contribute again, and the second payment was delivered yesterday (Tuesday) before he was finally freed.”
According to him, Kamilu was immediately taken to a hospital in the state capital for medical attention due to his condition after weeks in captivity.
He added that the monarch’s mobile phone was taken from him to allow him adequate rest on doctors’ advice.
Lawal and other members of the royal family accused the Kwara State Government and security agencies of failing to assist in securing the monarch’s release.
“The Kwara State Government did not contribute to the ransom, and there was no serious attempt to rescue Oba Kamilu,” a family source told SaharaReporters.
“We, the family and the community, contributed to get our king free. No one from the government or the security agencies made any effort to get him out of the hands of the terrorists.”
The abduction and prolonged detention of the monarch have heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State, with residents lamenting what they describe as abandonment by authorities amid rising cases of kidnapping for ransom.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the family of the kidnapped monarch had accused the Kwara State Government and the Nigeria Police Force of silence and failing to take any concrete action to secure his release, more than a week after he was abducted.
The monarch was kidnapped on November 29, 2025 by armed men.
Speaking with the media, Alhaji Rafiu Ayinla Lawal said the family was left to struggle alone, selling properties and exhausting personal resources, in a desperate attempt to raise the ransom demanded by the abductors.
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