Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Ondo

GUNMEN suspected to be kidnappers on Monday night invaded the palace of Laragunsin of Iyasan, in Irele local government area of Ondo state, Oba Abiodun Oyewumi and whisked him away.

The gunmen who arrived at the monarch palace around 10:30pm headed straight towards to the palace and went into monarch’s room and forcefully abducted the monarch.

According to a source, the hoodlums operated in the palace for more than 30 minutes before leaving through the river with the royal father.

He explained that the kidnappers entered the town through the Owena River in speed boat and headed towards the boundary between Ondo and Edo state.

The Chairman of Irele local government, Hon Sanmi Elumaro who confirmed the abduction of the monarch said the kidnappers numbering about 10 came into the town through the waterways and headed straight to the palace.

He said that the kidnappers were armed to the teeth, saying no resident of the town could come out to challenge the kidnappers until they finished their operations and took the monarch away.

He however could not ascertain if the kidnap of the monarch has to do with the chieftaincy dispute in the town but said the monarch was properly installed as the monarch despite the legal tussle over the throne.

Elumaro said security agents have been drafted to the town saying “since the abduction, the Navy and the Police in the riverine area have been on the trail of the suspected kidnappers.

The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, who also confirmed the abduction of the monarch, said investigation has begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Joseph added that the state Police Command would soon brief newsmen on the development as soon as there is any breakthrough in the investigation.