Gunmen who abducted a first-class traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke, have reached out to the family of the monarch with a demand of N100m.

Oba Ogunyanda was abducted in the early hours of Thursday from his palace at Okoloke in Yagba West local government of Kogi State.

The abduction of the monarch sent a panic wave across the local government, leaving his immediate family in panic, unsure of the location and welfare of the monarch.

The family was more terrified throughout the day when the kidnappers refused to make contact with the family after the abduction.

Relief came to the family of Oba Ogunyada late Thursday evening when someone suspected to be one of the kidnappers eventually made contact with a family member with a demand of N100m for the release of the monarch.

A member of the royal household who would not want his name mentioned told The Guardian on the phone that the kidnappers are demanding N100m.

?We are in a big mess, where are we going to get N100m, and the kidnappers are not giving us room for negotiation. They quickly switch off the phone before we plead for mercy. They only gave the grace of three days to make the ransom available,? the family said.

The abduction of the monarch has triggered widespread panic across the state, particularly in Yagba West Local Government Area, where incidents of kidnapping have become alarmingly frequent.

The disturbing abduction of the monarch has sent shockwaves across Okun land, prompting concerned citizens to gather at the palace in prayer and urging authorities to take swift action.

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway. A joint task force comprising security personnel and local vigilantes has also begun a manhunt to locate and rescue the monarch.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Karimi, has moved a motion of ?urgent public importance national attention? on the floor of the Senate over the abduction of the monarch.

Karimi urged the Federal Government to direct all the relevant security agencies in the country to deploy their security arsenals to secure the immediate release of the monarch from his abductors and to strengthen the security of the lives and properties of the people of the area.

The Senator commended President Bola Tinubu for giving directives to the National Security Adviser to establish Forest Guards across the country.

He also drew the attention of Mr President to ?The Nigeria Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025? passed by the National Assembly, awaiting Presidential assent. (The Guardian)

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