KIDNAP ALERT: Kidnappers of Kogi monarch demand N1m ransom

KOGI—As search for the abducted traditional ruler of Apaa Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, HRH Oba Adebisi Obademi, intensifies, indications have emerged that the family had been contacted for a N1 million ransom.

Impeccable family sources informed Vanguard that the abductors have contacted the family to demand ransom for the release of Oba Obademi.

The ransom is said to be one million naira, giving up the abductors as low key criminals.

A source who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the family members and traditional chiefs in the community had been meeting over the matter.

“Yes, they have contacted the family demanding for ransom. They told us that Kabiyesi is in safe hands and that we need to pay for his release. The abductors didn’t sound hostile during the conversation.

“ We may not want to make further statements not to jeopardize the efforts of the Police in tracking the abductors. But we have been meeting to ensure our royal father is released to us soon,’’ the source said.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Kabba, told Vanguard that they were doing whatever was necessary to ensure the release of the traditional ruler soon.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state had stepped into the matter.

However, residents of Kabba/Bunu have called for proactive policing to stem the tide of kidnapping in the state.

An engineer, Olu Adebayo, told Vanguard that the Police should invest more on intelligence gathering to avert unpleasant occurrences.

He said: “It is unfortunate that even traditional rulers are not spared by these inhuman elements among us. What the Police should do is to invest in modern intelligence gathering gadgets. These kidnappers are not spirits.

‘’They live among us too. We need a crime database and community policing to be able to apprehend these anti-social elements before they perpetrate their acts.”