GUNMEN have abducted a first-class traditional ruler in Kogi State, Oba James Ogunyanda, in Yagba West Local Government of the state.
Ogunyanda is the traditional ruler of Okoloke, a border town with Kwara State.
The monarch was abducted from his palace in the early hours of Thursday, May 15, 2025.
The incident has caused panic across the area, where there are growing cases of kidnapping.
A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said gunmen stormed the monarch’s palace in Okoloke about 2:00 a.m.
Reports said that the gunmen overpowered the palace guards and forcefully whisked the monarch away to an unknown location.
“They have yet to make contact or issue any ransom demands, deepening anxiety among residents, relatives, and members of the royal household,” the witness said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident on Thursday.
Ovye-Aya said the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, had directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Kogi West to rise to the challenge to rescue the traditional ruler with immediate effect.
Dantawaye also urged them to liaise with other security agents and the vigilance group to launch a formidable rescue operation to track down the abductors.
