Why we kidnapped Lagos monarch — Abductors
Demand N500m ransom *Family declares
prayer intercession *As kidnappers warn South-West region to prepare for more
abductions Barely a week after a Lagos traditional ruler, Oniba of Iba Town, Oba
Yushau Oseni was kidnapped in his palace, his abductors have explained the
reason behind their action, just as they contacted the family yesterday
demanding N500 million ransom before his release. kidnap,The kidnapped
monarch’s wife (left) and sympathisers. The kidnapped monarch’s wife (left) and
sympathisers. It will be recalled that the 73-year-old monarch was abducted by
gunmen, last Saturday, 16th July, 2016 and shot five persons including the wife
of the monarch in the process. Three of the victims died while two survivors
were said to be recuperating in different hospitals. The deceased were
identified as 25-year-old, Riliwan Rasak, an artisan, Sunday Okanlawon, the
palace guard and a-yet-to-be-identified commercial motorcycle operator. When
Saturday Vanguard visited the palace of the monarch at about 1:30 pm,
sympa-thizers continued to throng the residence to console the family and pray
for the safe return of the Oba. In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, a
palace source who preferred anonymity, disclosed that the abductors have
contacted the family and demanded N500 million before he would be released.
However, the source said that during the conversation the family begged the
abductors to consider the health of the monarch and release him to the family.
The plea, it was gathered fell on deaf ears as the abductors told the family
that Lagos monarchs are rich and can afford the huge ransom. According to the
source, “They (kidnappers) said that they are aware of the dignitaries
including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule who had visited the family and
that the dignitaries can afford the ransom Reason for abduction On the reason
for his abduction, the family source said, “They (kidnappers ) said that he
(Oba) is highly influential in the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration and
the administration recognises his contribution to the development of the state.
But a member of the family who spoke with the abductors begged them yet they
refused even as they assured the family that the king was safe with them.” It
was also gathered that the abductors claimed that they abducted the monarch as
a warning to the Federal Government and to attract the attention of both the
Federal and state governments According to one of the palace staff, “the
kidnappers during conversation argued that they could not continue their
pipeline vandalism because President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has
intensified security around the pipelines, hence, the option of kidnapping.”
The kidnappers were said to have threatened that it was the beginning of their
operation, saying, “South-West states should be prepared for more.” One of the
children of the monarch, said the family members of the Oba have gone into
serious prayer sessions as immediate and extended families of the monarch were
worried over his state of health and continued captivity. “We are appealing to
them (kidnappers) not to hurt him and allow him return home safely”, he begged.
Meanwhile, one of the monarch’s daughters and former boss, Iba Local Government
Council, Mrs. Ramota Oseni, admitted that the abductors had contacted the
family since July 20 but the family decided to make the ransom public as they
could no longer resolve it internally.
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