The kidnappers of the first-class Lagos monarch and Oniba of Iba kingdom, Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni, have finally communicated with the royal family and are demanding N500 million before they would release the 73-year-old traditional ruler.

According to the royal family, the kidnappers established contact with one of Oba Oseni’s children, further attempt to re-establish communication with the abductors proved abortive as they claimed the line has been switched off.

For over three days, the abductors of Oba Oseni did not call the royal family to demand ransom and the non-communication created panic among the monarch’s wives, children, the community and even the state government.

Saturday Sun investigations revealed that the Lagos State Police Command at the last minute aborted a planned protest on Friday morning by the Iba Youths Forum and Indigenes about the abduction and insecurity in the community.

The daughter and former Chairman, Iba Local Government Development Council, Hon Ramota Oseni, told newsmen after joint prayers in the palace by Christians and Muslims, that the kidnappers called to state their demand before they can free the monarch.

She explained that the call was made on Wednesday and the abductors demanded N500 million ransom from the family stating that the family immediately contacted the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Musliu Falomi, who promised to seek state government position and get back to the royal family.

The former council chairman said the commissioner has not called back as promised and did not pick calls made to his mobile phone neither did he respond to text messages. The action of the commissioner did not go down well with the royal family.

She disclosed that the kidnappers said they came for Kabiyesi because he and other Obas supported the former Lagos State governor and national leader of the ruling party in the last election to defeat their son, warning: “We are going to deal with the South West.’’

One of the monarch’s sons wondered why the state government is keeping mum after being informed of the ransom by the kidnappers reminding journalist that the state government paid ransom for a Chinese expatriate who was abducted at Epe, and asked why the state can’t do same for their own.

When our Correspondent called the Lagos State Command Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, on the kidnappers demand, he said it is not ideal to talk about the demand stating, “Once you journalists continue to dwell on the ransom, you will be encouraging them. The media is not helping the police if you continue to report on the ransom by kidnappers.’’

On police investigation on the abducted monarch, CP Owoseni said: “You will jeopardise our investigation if I tell you how far we have gone’’ while stating that the angry youths of Iba have the right to protest and are also entitled to their opinion on the withdrawal of police from the community.

Meanwhile, the council of Obas in Lagos State on Friday paid a solidarity visit to the Iba palace and held a close door session with only the male children of the abducted Oba. (Saturday Sun)

•Photo shows abducted Oniba of Iba kingdom, Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni.

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