By Ayomide Otitoju
The abducted traditional ruler of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, popularly known as Ojibara, has escaped captivity along with six other abductees, sources from the community have confirmed.
According to residents, the escape followed a fierce attack on the bandits by vigilante groups who launched an offensive deep in the forests surrounding the Eku Idaji area near Igbaja.
“The vigilante team engaged the bandits in a heavy clash. While the Baale and the others have not yet returned to the community, they made contact to confirm their escape,” a source said.
The bandits had reportedly demanded N150 million for the release of the traditional ruler. On Sunday morning, they contacted the community in the early hours, insisting that Ojibara speak with community members to prove he was in their custody. During this communication, the monarch appealed for negotiation to secure his release and revealed that other individuals from a neighbouring community were also abducted.
Ojibara was reportedly taken on motorcycles through dense forests for over five hours before reaching the location where he communicated with the community.
The monarch’s abduction occurred on Saturday when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed his farm. Efforts to obtain a comment from the police on the incident were unsuccessful.
Bayagan, a prominent community in Ifelodun LGA, is now anxiously awaiting the return of the traditional ruler and other escapees.
