By Uche Onyeali
Unidentified gunmen yesterday kidnapped a prominent traditional ruler in Kogi State.
The abduction of the Obalohun of Okoloke town in Yagba West Local Government Area, Oba Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, is one of the incidents that signals the worsening security situation in Kogi State.
Oba Ilufemiloye was abducted from his palace in the early hours of the day by yet-to-be-identified armed men.
The monarch’s abduction was confirmed in a statement yesterday by the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Authority, Tosin Olokun.
Condemning the abduction of the traditional ruler by suspected armed bandits, Olokun said “this reprehensible attack on a revered traditional ruler is a direct affront to our cultural values and peaceful coexistence. It is unacceptable and stands condemned.”
The chairman said security operatives, in collaboration with local hunters, have launched coordinated operations to rescue the abducted monarch and others held captive.
“Search efforts are ongoing, with intensified surveillance in key areas,” he said.
According to sources, the monarch was abducted around 12am yesterday.
They said the kidnappers stormed the palace, firing sporadically before whisking him away to an unknown location.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP William Aya said the incident had not been reported to the command.
He, however, promised to revert back as soon as the command gets information from the Divisional Police Office in Yagba West.
The police spokesman did not, however, get back to our correspondent till the time of filing this report.