Terrorists holding 22 people captive from several communities in Kwara South Senatorial District have demanded a combined ransom of N400 million, along with specific food items and drinks, for their release. The victims were seized from communities including Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire.

Investigations indicate that the criminal groups relocated to these vulnerable areas following the establishment of military bases in former hotspots like Oke-Ode, Babanla, and Eruku. By moving to settlements with little to no security presence, the bandits have continued their onslaught on rural residents.

Among those still in captivity since December 2025 are nine individuals from the Ile-Ire District, including the Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Other captives include nine people abducted from Isapa, two seized along the Isanlu-Isin highway earlier this month, and two others from Owa-Onire.

The Olowa of Owa-Onire, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi who was himself a victim of kidnapping in 2024 confirmed that two members of his community remain in the forest. "I spoke with the two of them yesterday," the monarch revealed. "We have already paid the terrorists N2 million and negotiated the balance down to N800,000. However, they are insisting we bring the money along with the food and drinks they demanded before any release can happen."

Oba Fabiyi lamented the complete absence of security personnel in Owa-Onire, noting that the "porosity" of the area allows bandits to operate freely. He made a passionate appeal to the Kwara State Government to urgently establish a police station in the community to discourage incessant abductions.

"They always operate freely here. We don't have security in Owa-Onire. Our concern is that whenever they exhaust the ransom money and foods and drinks which we supplied they will come out again and abduct my people. So, we urgently need security to discourage this kind of sad development," he said.

Oba Olanipekun, recounting his experience in captivity, said the terrain gave the bandits an advantage over security agents.

"The forest is extremely large. The routes are numerous which they know very well because they have been living there for decades. That was why they would always warn anyone not to attempt to escape," he said.

Speaking on the situation, the Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, said arresting and neutralising terrorists in the area had been difficult.

"Arresting and neutralising terrorists in Kwara South has been challenging due to several factors. The region's terrain, with its vast forests, hills and caves, as well as porous borders, provides a safe haven for these criminals," he said.

He added that the bandits had allegedly received support from locals through food, shelter and intelligence, making tracking efforts more difficult.

Olaitan noted that poor communication tools and weak coordination between security agencies and local communities had also hampered operations.

However, he said the Kwara State Government, working with federal security agencies, had deployed forest guards and launched joint patrols to address the challenge.

"Recent operations have yielded some successes, with security forces neutralising several bandits and arresting suspects supplying them with guns, food and other essentials. The government has also warned that it will not tolerate banditry and is committed to restoring peace in the region," he said.

He disclosed that no progress had been made on the N300 million ransom demanded for the release of nine persons abducted in Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.

According to him, the terrorists had contacted community leaders three times, insisting that the victims would not be released unless the N300 million was paid.

The victims were kidnapped after the bandits failed to abduct the community's traditional ruler, Oba David Olarinoye, and his wife, who were away in Igbaja at the time.

In Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area, the Akeweje of Isapa land, Chief Idowu Sunday, said 11 persons were still being held by the bandits, who are demanding N35 million for their release.

The Acting Asipa Ode of Isapa land explained that the terrorists initially demanded N300 million after collecting N350 million to release worshippers abducted at CAC Oke-Isegun in Eruku.

He said after negotiations, the demand was reduced to N35 million.

He added that when the community sent three people with N4 million to secure the victims' release, two of them were seized by the bandits.

According to him, the terrorists claimed the N4 million was meant for recharge cards, while the third person, who waited at a distance, managed to escape.