Herdsmen abduct monarch in Delta, demand N15m ransom

Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, have kidnapped the Obi of Ogodor in Aniocha North local government area of Delta State, Sunday Olisewokwu.

According to family sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the monarch, who is the chairman of Aniocha Traditional Rulers Committee, was abducted at the weekend on his way from an event at Ugbodu village in Aniocha North and whisked away to an unknown destination.

The monarch, who is in his 40s, was kidnapped by the suspected herdsmen numbering about seven between Ezi and Onicha-Olona communities on Sunday evening. The abductors, according to a source are asking for N15 million ransom, and have threatened to sniff life out of the monarch if the ransom was not paid by 6pm on Monday.

Family sources also disclosed that two guards of the monarch were wounded during a scuffle between them and the armed herdsmen. Saying that the suspected herdsmen had allegedly attacked indigenes of Ezi and Onitcha-Olona, the family source said motorists traveling to Issele-Uku, through Idumu-Ogo were also attacked by the suspects after reportedly beating up a family of five in the farm.

However, a search team made up of members of local vigilance groups in Ogodor, Olona and Ezi has been set up to fish out the culprits and set the kidnapped monarch free. As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, was yet to speak on the development.

It will be recalled that in 2016, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku kingdom, in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, Akaeze Ofulue III was kidnapped and killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Another source said the kidnap might not be unconnected with the stance of the monarch on the lingering Idumuje Ugboko royal dispute in Aniocha North.