Suspected bandits have abducted the traditional ruler of Igbesi community in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Onigbesi of Igbesi land.

The incident occurred late Saturday night when armed men reportedly invaded the community, throwing residents into panic.

Igbesi is a community in Oke-Onigbin town, within the Isin Local Government Area of Kwara South Senatorial District.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the assailants stormed the community at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, and abducted the monarch.

A local source said the gunmen took the traditional ruler to an undisclosed location, while there were conflicting accounts over whether other residents were also taken away.

“As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of victims and the whereabouts of the abducted monarch remained unclear,” the source said.

The development has heightened concerns among residents of the community, with security operatives reportedly commencing efforts to locate the monarch and secure his release.

Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the traditional ruler was indeed abducted.

However, the commissioner dismissed reports that other residents were kidnapped during the incident, insisting that the account of multiple abductions and attacks in the state was inaccurate.

He said security agencies were working to rescue the monarch and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The narrative of attacks within the past 24 hours is far from the truth; nothing of such,” Adekimi said.