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.
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.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.
Reason for abduction:
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.
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.
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.
-Vanguard
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