The abduction of a traditional ruler and several residents in Igbesi community, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, has renewed concerns over the recurring wave of kidnapping in the state, with communities increasingly worried that criminal gangs are expanding their reach beyond isolated rural settlements.
Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Onigbesi of Igbesi land, was reportedly taken away by armed bandits who invaded the community at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The monarch was abducted alongside other residents during the late-night operation, according to a local source who said the attackers moved into the community and took their victims to an unknown location.
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The latest incident is particularly significant because it involved a traditional ruler, whose position makes the abduction more than a personal security incident and has heightened anxiety across the surrounding communities.
