Barely 72 hours after the death of a retired Army General and former Defence spokesman, Arabe Abubakar in the custody of his kidnappers, another high-profile victim, the traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, has also been reported dead in captivity, with the community accepting his fate as the will of Allah.
His death was confirmed Monday in an emotional audio message by a community committee member involved in efforts to rescue him.
The announcement came weeks after his abductors demanded N21 million, two brand-new motorcycles and a jerrycan of petrol for his release.
In the audio obtained by Sahara Reporters, the committee member told Olayinka indigenes that efforts by family, clerics and stakeholders failed.
He 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… Our beloved father, His Royal Highness Alhaji Salman Olatunji, the monarch of Olayinka, has answered the call of his Creator.”
Confirming earlier rumours about the monarch’s condition, he said, “All the efforts that have been made by family members, residents, committees and Islamic clerics, have now led to this moment. The will of God has happened.”
Despite not recovering his remains, the committee announced Islamic funeral prayers for 8 a.m. at the Epe Muslim community in Lagos.
“As required by Islamic rites… funeral rites can still be performed even when the deceased is not physically present,” the speaker said.
He urged both Muslims and Christians in Olayinka to “accept our fate” as a divine decree.
There has however been no official statement by the Kwara State government and the state police command as of press time.
