Kwara Traditional Ruler Passes On Days After Release From Kidn*ppers

Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Onigbesi of Igbesi Land in Kwara State's Isin Local Government Area, has reportedly passed away just days following his release from abductors. The monarch's demise was officially announced on Saturday, September 12th.

Armed assailants had seized the traditional ruler on August 22nd during an invasion of the Igbesi community. His freedom was secured five days subsequent to his abduction, thanks to a security operation conducted within the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro area of the state.

The National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Bisi Fakayode, confirmed the monarch's demise on Saturday, expressing profound sorrow at the news and offering prayers for the late ruler's peaceful repose. Further confirmation of the passing came from Prince Olasunkanmi, one of the monarch's sons, who informed PUNCH Online that his father succumbed to a brief illness at a hospital in the early hours of Saturday.

Prince Olasunkanmi stated, “Yes, the news is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning.”

The late monarch was one of three individuals successfully rescued by security forces during the aforementioned operation near the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis.

According to the Kwara State Police Command, the rescue mission was initiated following intelligence received around 10 am at the Oro Police Station. A vigilante had reported that one of his team members sustained a gunshot wound while operating in the bush close to Elerin/Ijomu-Oro. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oro Police Station promptly mobilized a joint contingent comprising police operatives, military personnel, and local vigilantes to the specified location.

Police sources indicated that upon detecting the approaching security team, the suspected abductors opened fire, resulting in a shootout where one alleged kidn*pper was fatally wounded. The surviving members of the criminal gang then fled into the dense surrounding terrain. During the subsequent pursuit, the security team located the three kidn*pped victims, who were then promptly transported for necessary medical care.