By Seyi Odewale
The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Oba Kamilu Salami, who armed bandits abducted on November 29, 2025, has regained his freedom after spending 25 days in captivity.
The monarch was released on the night of Tuesday, December 23, 2025, bringing an end to weeks of anxiety for residents of Bayagan Ile in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Oba Salami was kidnapped from his farm on a Saturday morning when gunmen stormed the area and whisked him away into the forest.
His return triggered spontaneous celebrations in the community, as jubilant residents thronged the palace to welcome the monarch and congratulate his family on his safe return.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, community spokesperson Ayinla Lawal disclosed that the monarch was freed after paying a substantial ransom to the kidnappers.
Lawal said the ransom, paid in two instalments, was raised solely by community members, noting that neither the local nor the state government assisted in the ordeal.
“I’m happy to inform you that our monarch was released on Tuesday night,” he said. “The amount paid was huge, but our elders have pleaded that it should not be disclosed. It was entirely the effort of the community, and that is why it took a long time before Kabiesi was released.”
He added that the community was grateful to God for the monarch’s safe return, and thanked residents and the media for their support during the period of captivity.
Lawal expressed optimism that the incident would not recur, stating that more vigilantes and local hunters had been recruited to strengthen security in the area. He also said residents who fled the community during the crisis were expected to return.
The monarch was immediately taken to Ilorin for urgent medical attention.
His immediate younger brother, Aliyu, who accompanied him to a private hospital in Ilorin, also confirmed the release. He described the ordeal as traumatic, revealing that he served as the sole intermediary between the community and the kidnappers.
“Their location is very far, and they keep moving. You can’t even properly identify them because they are always masked,” he said.
Aliyu admitted that fear nearly forced him to abandon the process at one point, but said he was encouraged by community leaders to continue because of his relationship with the monarch.
“I thank Almighty God that I was not detained and that our monarch came back alive,” he added.
Efforts to speak with the monarch were unsuccessful, as he was said to be on extended rest following his ordeal.
