Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly abducted the traditional ruler of Ogodor Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM, Obi Sunday Olisewokwu.
It was gathered that the monarch was ambushed by the arms-wielding herdsmen around Ezi and Onicha-Olona communities on Sunday evening.
Community sources who confirmed the development on Monday, disclosed that two aides of the traditional ruler were injured while trying to resist his abduction by the hoodlums, according to Punch.
The abducted monarch also doubled as the chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Forum.
Sources informed our correspondent that some indigenes of Ezi and Olona communities were also injured during the attack.
The sources added that some motorists and passengers traveling to Issele-Uku, the administrative headquarters of Aniocha North through Idumu-Ogo, including a family of five, were also attacked by the hoodlums.
A palace chief who spoke on condition of anonymity while confirming the incident, disclosed that residents of the agrarian Ogodor community which is the traditional headquarter of the kingdom, have become apprehensive as a result.
At the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had yet to contact either members of the royal family or the Obi-in-Council comprising traditional chiefs of the kingdom for any ransom.
When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, who neither denied nor confirmed the incident, pleaded for more time to provide details.
He had yet to call back at the time of filing this report.
However, a senior police officer at the State Police Command confirmed the kidnap, saying that Police authorities in the state and other heads of security agencies are currently holding meetings with some government officials on how to rescue the monarch.
Community sources who confirmed the development on Monday, disclosed that two aides of the traditional ruler were injured while trying to resist his abduction by the hoodlums, according to Punch.
The abducted monarch also doubled as the chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Forum.
Sources informed our correspondent that some indigenes of Ezi and Olona communities were also injured during the attack.
The sources added that some motorists and passengers traveling to Issele-Uku, the administrative headquarters of Aniocha North through Idumu-Ogo, including a family of five, were also attacked by the hoodlums.
A palace chief who spoke on condition of anonymity while confirming the incident, disclosed that residents of the agrarian Ogodor community which is the traditional headquarter of the kingdom, have become apprehensive as a result.
At the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had yet to contact either members of the royal family or the Obi-in-Council comprising traditional chiefs of the kingdom for any ransom.
When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, who neither denied nor confirmed the incident, pleaded for more time to provide details.
He had yet to call back at the time of filing this report.
However, a senior police officer at the State Police Command confirmed the kidnap, saying that Police authorities in the state and other heads of security agencies are currently holding meetings with some government officials on how to rescue the monarch.
