The Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, who was abducted on his farm on Saturday morning by bandits 25 days ago, has regained his freedom on Tuesday night.
Residents of the community were thrown into a frenzy of joy following the release, as the palace was reportedly besieged by jubilant residents who trooped in to catch a glimpse of the monarch and congratulate him and his family on his safe return.
Spokesperson of the community, Ayinla Lawal, confirmed the development in a message to Vanguard on Wednesday morning.
Ayinla told Vanguard in an interview that the monarch was released after a huge amount of money, paid in two instalments, was given to the bandits. He added that the ransom was raised solely by members of the community.
According to him: “I’m happy to inform you that our monarch has been released; he was released on Tuesday night.
“Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that we should not mention the amount, so I won’t be able to tell you the figure, but it was huge. The local government and state government didn’t come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.
“Only members of the community contributed the amount. It was really tough for us in the community, and that was why it took a longer time before our monarch was released. Above all, we thank Almighty God that he came back alive, and we also thank the media and members of the community for their support.”
Ayinla expressed confidence that the bandits would not strike again in the community, saying more vigilantes and hunters had been recruited to keep watch over the area. He added that residents who fled the community were expected to begin returning.
He also disclosed that the monarch was taken to Ilorin on Wednesday morning for urgent medical attention.
The monarch’s immediate younger brother, simply identified as Aliyu, who drove him to an undisclosed private hospital in Ilorin, also confirmed the development to Vanguard on Wednesday.
Aliyu, who was sent by the community to deliver the ransom in two instalments, said he was initially afraid of visiting the bandits due to the risk of being kidnapped.
“Their location is very far; one can’t believe that the place is still part of Kwara State. You can’t even describe or locate the place because they move around the terrain; they don’t stay in a particular point. They used to speak with me on Kabiesi’s phone to inform me where I should meet them.
“I can’t even identify any of them because they’re always on hood.
“At a point, I was seriously afraid and I told the community that I couldn’t go again, but they told me that I’m the only person that could go, being the monarch’s immediate younger brother, so I was encouraged. Thank Almighty God, I was not detained by the bandits and our monarch is back alive.”
Efforts by Vanguard to speak with the monarch were unsuccessful, as he was said to be taking a long rest.
“You can’t talk to Kabiesi until after some days,” Aliyu said, adding that he was staying with the monarch at the hospital in Ilorin.
