A first-class traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke, has been abducted in Kogi State, sparking widespread concern and panic, particularly in Yagba West Local Government Area, where kidnapping cases have become increasingly frequent.
The monarch was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday. According to eyewitness accounts, heavily armed men stormed the palace in Okoloke, a peaceful community in Yagba West, at around 2:00 a.m., overpowering palace guards in a swift operation before forcibly taking the king to an unknown location.
As of the time of reporting, the kidnappers have yet to contact the family or make any ransom demands, further heightening anxiety among residents, royal family members, and the wider community.
The shocking abduction has sent shockwaves across Okun land, with concerned citizens gathering at the palace to offer prayers and call on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively.
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is ongoing. A joint task force comprising security operatives and local vigilante groups has been mobilized and is currently conducting a manhunt to track down the abductors and secure the monarch’s release.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, Tosin Olokun, strongly condemned the abduction, describing it as a reprehensible act carried out by unknown armed assailants. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Sunday, Olokun attributed the rising wave of such attacks in the area to the porous border shared with neighboring Kwara State, which he said continues to pose a significant security challenge.
The local and state authorities have called for increased surveillance and reinforced security presence to curb the growing threat of banditry in the region.
