Kogi monarch Oba Ogunyanda kidnapped amid fear, suspense

Palpable fear and panic has taken over Yagba West local government area of Kogi state as a notable first-class traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke has been  kidnapped by gunmen in his residence.

The abduction is one out of many that have occurred recently, creating fear in the minds of the residents.

A source who identified himself as Lucky Omoyele, stated that  Oba Ogunyanda was abducted very early Thursday morning.

Omoyele added that  a group of heavily armed men stormed the monarch’s palace in Okoloke, a serene community in Yagba West local government area about  2:00 a.m. and took away the monarch.

The assailants were said to have overpowered the palace guards and forcibly whisked the traditional ruler away to an unknown location.

He said the kidnappers were yet to make contact or issue any ransom demands, but concerned citizens gathered  at the palace in prayer, urging the government to intervene in the abduction of their king. 

The Kogi state Police command confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway, noting that a joint task force comprising security personnel and local vigilantes had begun a manhunt to locate and rescue the monarch.

Also, the chairman of Yagba West local government, Tosin Olokun, in a statement by his chief press