The traditional ruler of Owa-Onire in Kwara State, Oba AbdulRahman Fabiyi, has abandoned his palace and is currently living in a remote area on the outskirts of Ilorin due to persistent security threats in his community.
The monarch, who now resides several hours away from his kingdom, said he fled the palace following a series of attacks by armed groups, including a raid on December 31, 2025.
According to him, “Eight terrorists broke the gates and doors of my palace on December 31, 2025. They collected my phone and that of my Olori and some money I had with me at gunpoint. But they didn’t order me to follow them. Though they later went away with two of my palace aides.”
He added that he had previously been abducted about a year earlier and held for seven days before being released after a ransom of ₦5 million was paid by members of his community.
“I guess that was why they didn’t ask me to follow them at gunpoint on December 31, 2025,” he said, noting that the attackers instead kidnapped two of his aides.
Oba Fabiyi said he has no plans to return to his palace unless adequate security measures are put in place. “We have been appealing to the government to provide security for us in Onire. For instance, we don’t have any police station or security outfit, so it makes our community very porous,” he said.
He also pointed to the absence of forest guards and limited capacity of local vigilantes to respond to attacks, adding: “If there’s no security in my community I won’t return to the palace. Government should please provide security for us. We are ready to complement them with our local vigilantes.”
The monarch said insecurity has forced other traditional rulers in neighbouring communities to also abandon their domains. “Over the years, monarchs only visit the community at weekends. But now many have completely left because of the challenges of insecurity,” he said, citing areas such as Owa Kajola, OkeOyin and Ofaro.
Despite his displacement, Oba Fabiyi said he continues to perform his traditional duties remotely. “People in my community call me every day and I settle rifts among them. If there are issues that demand that they should see me physically, they will come here and I will settle it,” he said.
Residents, he added, have adopted coping strategies by splitting their time between the community and safer neighbouring areas, as insecurity continues to disrupt daily life.
