Gunmen Abduct Traditional Ruler, Community Leader In Kogi, Kwara

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers reportedly invaded the palace of His Royal Highness, OgunyandaIlufemiloye, the traditional ruler of Ofoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State and abducted him.

It was gathered that the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday when the gunmen stormed the palace.

They were said to be shooting sporadically to scare people away before they kidnapped the monarch after overpowering the palace guards.

Reports from the community said his subjects have been trooping to the palace to offer prayers, and appeals to security operatives at both state and federal levels, as well as individuals, to intervene and bring back the royal father to the community alive.

It was learnt that the abductors have not made contact with his family as of Thursday afternoon.

“We heard of their impending invasion on Wednesday in all the communities around here, causing anxiety everywhere. At the end, it was our own monarch who became the victim. Anxiety is high as nothing has been heard from his abductors. The attackers invaded the palace and carried him away under duress.

‘’He was not even allowed to put on slippers or wear his shirt; he went with them wearing only boxer short nicker. It’s a sacrilege,” a source close to the palace said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP William Aya, did not respond to calls and the text messages sent to him on the incident.

However, the locals reported that vigilantes, hunters and security operatives had been deployed into the bush in an attempt to rescue the royal father and apprehend his abductors.

In a separate incident, the Kwara State police command on Thursday confirmed the abduction of Chief Oladipo Raphael Kayode, a prominent community leader in the state. The victim was reportedly kidnapped by the assailants who stormed his residence in Agbele, Irepodun LGA.

The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday at approximately 9:40pm.

The victim’s whereabouts have remained unknown, and no communication or ransom demands have been received from the abductors; it was further learnt.

The family and the community have called for swift action from security agencies to secure his safe release.

The spokesman of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Thursday said efforts were ongoing to rescue him.

“The Kwara police command is aware of this disturbing incident; our police operatives are on top of the situation, working assiduously to ensure the kidnapped victim is rescued safely,” she said.