Monarch’s death sparks criticism as a Yoruba group accuses Governor AbdulRazaq of failing to secure the release of an abducted Kwara ruler

Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá has accused Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to take adequate steps to secure the release of the traditional ruler of Olayinka Community, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, who was reportedly killed by kidnappers after weeks in captivity.

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The group made the allegation in a statement issued by its Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun.

According to the organisation, repeated appeals were made to both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to intervene following the monarch’s abduction in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The group alleged that those appeals did not receive the urgent response required to secure his freedom.

The organisation claimed that despite efforts by family members, friends, associates and residents of Olayinka Community to raise and pay a N21 million ransom, Oba Aweda was eventually killed by his captors.

Describing the incident as a devastating loss, the group said the Monarch’s Death highlighted what it called a worsening security situation in parts of Yorubaland and growing threats to traditional institutions.

In the statement, the organisation alleged that armed criminals had continued to operate in communities across the region with little resistance, leading to increasing insecurity and fear among residents.

The group further questioned what it described as the state government’s lack of urgency during the monarch’s captivity, alleging that Governor AbdulRazaq neither publicly commented on the abduction nor issued a statement after reports of the ruler’s death emerged.

It also criticised what it viewed as insufficient intervention efforts by the authorities, although no evidence was presented to substantiate claims that the governor deliberately ignored rescue appeals.

The organisation expressed sympathy to the family of the late monarch and residents of Olayinka Community, describing the incident as a painful loss for both the community and the wider Yoruba nation.

“We condole with the family and the entire community of Olayinka over the death of Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda,” the statement said.

The group concluded by calling on both federal and state authorities to strengthen security operations, combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, and provide greater protection for traditional rulers and rural communities across the country.