The Onigbesi of Igbesi Land in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, has died weeks after he was abducted by armed men and rescued by security operatives.
The monarch was abducted on August 22, 2026, when armed men invaded Igbesi community. He regained his freedom five days later during a security operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of the state.
His death was announced on Saturday, September 12, by the National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Bisi Fakayode, who expressed sadness over the development and prayed for the repose of the monarch’s soul. The death was also confirmed by one of the monarch’s sons, Prince Olasunkanmi.
According to Prince Olasunkanmi, the traditional ruler developed an illness after his release and was taken to hospital, where he died in the early hours of Saturday.
“Yes, the news is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning,” the monarch’s son was quoted as saying.
The monarch was among three victims rescued during the security operation in the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis. Earlier reports by the police indicated that the operation followed information received at about 10am at the Oro Police Station from a vigilante who reported that one of his men had sustained a gunshot injury in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro. A combined team of police, military personnel and vigilantes subsequently moved into the area and rescued the victims.
The circumstances surrounding the monarch’s condition after his release have also raised concerns. The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, Elder Olaitan Oyin Zubair, said in a tribute that the security team strongly suspected that the trauma suffered during the abduction may have contributed to his death.
Zubair recalled that the monarch appeared extremely weak after he was rescued, adding that the security personnel had hoped and prayed that he would recover. He described Oba Oyinloye as a committed son of Igbesi and a revered monarch, while expressing condolences to his immediate family, the people of Igbesi and the entire Isin Local Government Area.
He said the security team was saddened that, despite its efforts to rescue the monarch, he could not survive the aftermath of the ordeal, adding that the team’s consolation was that the traditional ruler was rescued and was able to spend his final moments in the hands of his loved ones.
The development has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Kwara South, where communities have faced repeated attacks, kidnappings and displacement.
It is also coming less than two months after the launch of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara State by Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. The initiative was launched in July with the stated aim of complementing conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
Notably, members of the Iru Ekun group were among those involved in the search-and-rescue effort following the abduction of the Onigbesi. Reports at the time said the joint operation involved the Nigerian Army, Police, local vigilantes, hunters and members of the Iru Ekun group.
The Iru Ekun initiative had also been presented as a response to insecurity in Kwara South, with its founder declaring that the outfit would work with recognised security agencies to tackle criminal activities in forests and vulnerable communities.
The death of Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, coming shortly after his rescue from captivity, has therefore cast a fresh shadow over the security challenges confronting communities in the area, with residents and stakeholders left to mourn a traditional ruler who survived kidnapping but died shortly afterwards.
