Kwara Community Holds Bur!al Prayers For Monarch K!lled By Terrorists Despite Receiving N21Million, Motorcycles, Petrol As Rans0m

Kwara Community Holds Burial Prayers For Monarch Killed By Terrorists Despite Receiving N21Million, Motorcycles, Petrol As Ransom

The solemn prayer session was held despite the monarch’s remains never being recovered from the terrorists’ hideout.

Residents of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday held final burial prayers for their traditional ruler, Oba Salman Olatunji, who was killed by terrorists after his family and community reportedly met the kidnappers’ enormous ransom demands.

The solemn prayer session was held despite the monarch’s remains never being recovered from the terrorists’ hideout.

SaharaReporters gathered that the late monarch was abducted by terrorists who later demanded ₦21 million in cash, two brand-new motorcycles, and a jerrycan of petrol as conditions for his release.

Despite the family and community reportedly fulfilling all the conditions imposed by the kidnappers, the traditional ruler was killed in captivity, while his body was never returned to his loved ones for burial.

With no hope of recovering his remains, the Olayinka community organised final burial prayers on Saturday to honour the late monarch and bid him a symbolic farewell.

SaharaReporters gathered that the prayer session attracted a large crowd of sympathisers, religious leaders, community members, and prominent sons and daughters of Igbomina land from across Kwara South.

Muslims and Christians joined together in an emotional display of unity to offer prayers for the repose of the monarch’s soul and to console his grieving family and the Olayinka community.

The ceremony was marked by grief and sorrow as mourners lamented the worsening insecurity across parts of Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where terrorist attacks and kidnappings have become increasingly frequent.

Many attendees described the late monarch as a peaceful and dedicated traditional ruler whose death has left a deep vacuum in the community.

The symbolic burial prayers came amid growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Kwara North and Kwara South, where several communities have repeatedly suffered attacks by heavily armed terrorists and bandits, resulting in killings, kidnappings, and the displacement of residents.

The monarch’s killing, despite the payment of ₦21 million, two new motorcycles, and a jerrycan of petrol, has further heightened fears among residents, who continue to demand stronger security measures to end the wave of violence across the state.

The monarch’s death was confirmed in an emotional voice message earlier obtained by SaharaReporters from a member of a committee involved in efforts to secure his freedom.

In the message, the committee member announced the tragic development to members of the Olayinka community, describing the monarch’s death as an act of God’s will despite extensive efforts by residents, family members, community leaders, and religious figures to secure his safe return.

Quoting from the message, the committee member said: “Allah in His mercy said in the Holy Qur’an that we all human beings on earth belong to Him, and to Him we shall return, whether when we expect it or when we do not expect it.

“This is to inform the Olayinka community, both male and female, young and old, that our beloved father, His Royal Highness Alhaji Salman Olatunji, the monarch of Olayinka, has answered the call of his Creator. The will of God has come to pass on him.”

The committee member said all the reports and rumours circulating about the monarch’s fate had been confirmed, noting that every effort made to rescue him ultimately failed.

“The will of God has happened. Whether one likes it or not, every soul will return to its Creator, and nobody knows the means through which that return will come,” he said.