The Ojibara of Bayagan, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, along with six other abductees, has escaped from the clutches of bandits in Kwara State, sources from the community confirmed.
According to local reports, the escape followed a vigilante-led assault on the bandits’ forest hideout near Eku Idaji, close to Igbaja, where the kidnappers had been holding their victims.
“The vigilante team launched an attack deep in the forest and engaged the bandits in a fierce battle,” a community source said. “Although the Baale and the six others have not yet returned home, they have contacted members of the community to confirm their escape.”
The bandits had earlier demanded N150 million for the traditional ruler’s release, reportedly contacting the community in the early hours of Sunday to press their demands.
During captivity, the monarch was allegedly forced to speak with community members to convince them that he was still in the bandits’ custody.
Alhaji Salami recounted being transported on a motorcycle through dense forests for over five hours before arriving at the bandits’ location, where he learned that several other people had also been abducted from a neighbouring community.
Bayagan, a prominent community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, was thrown into panic following the Saturday attack, during which armed bandits stormed the monarch’s farm wielding AK-47 rifles.
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