The abducted traditional ruler of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami (Ojibara of Bayagan), has escaped from captivity along with six other abductees.
Sources in the community confirmed that the victims regained freedom after vigilante operatives launched a fierce offensive on the kidnappers deep inside the forest.
According to a credible source, the vigilantes tracked the bandits into the Eku Idaji axis near Igbaja, where a gun battle ensued, forcing the kidnappers to flee and enabling the captives to escape.
Although the monarch and the six others had not yet returned to the community as of the time of filing this report, they have established contact with community members to confirm their safety.
The traditional ruler was kidnapped on Saturday when bandits armed with AK-47 rifles invaded his farm. The assailants later demanded ₦150 million ransom for his release and even allowed the monarch to speak with his community to prove he was in their custody.
The Ojibara had narrated to his people how he was taken through the forest on a motorcycle for over five hours and disclosed that several persons from a neighbouring community were also abducted.
Bayagan, a large community in Ifelodun LGA, has been on edge since the incident. Efforts to obtain confirmation from the police were unsuccessful, as the command had yet to release an official statement at press time.
