Armed bandits who kidnapped Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, his son, Olaolu, and eight other residents in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara, have demanded a total of N450 million to release the captives.

Reports said while N150 million was demanded for the release of the traditional ruler and his son, a total of 300 million was demanded for the release of eight persons abducted in Adanla-Irese in Igbaja.

The coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the development to journalists on Friday.

“The bandits contacted the family this afternoon and demanded N150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son. Just two days ago, N300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees. So the development is true,” Mr Oyin-Zubair said.

Families of the kidnapped victims also told journalists the incident had thrown them into unimaginable grief, calling on the government to swiftly come to their aid.

Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not reply to a request seeking to clarify the kidnappers’ latest demands.

Armed bandits, on Wednesday, stormed the Aafin community in the Ile Ere district of the Ifelodun LGA in the state, kidnapping the traditional and his son who was reportedly undergoing his national youth service.

Residents said the assailants stormed the palace and started shooting sporadically, injuring Mr Olaonipekun’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, in her arms.

The incident added to the list of dastardly kidnapping incidents in several local governments in the state despite repeated assurances by the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq-led administration to crush terrorists and ensure security of lives and property.

Last week, Mr Abdulrazaq attended the passing out parade of about a thousand forest guards deployed to curtail the activities of terrorists, kidnappers and illegal miners, among others.