Panic has gripped the people of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State following the abduction of a prominent traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, by unidentified gunmen.
According to reports, the attackers stormed the monarch’s palace in Okoloke, a quiet community in Yagba West, in the early hours of Thursday around 2:00 a.m. Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed assailants subdued palace guards before forcefully taking the royal father to an undisclosed location.
The abduction has thrown the community into confusion, with residents expressing deep concern as the kidnappers have yet to make contact or issue any ransom demands.
The situation has also triggered widespread anxiety among the monarch’s family and members of the royal household.
A large number of concerned residents gathered around the palace, offering prayers and calling on security agencies to act swiftly to ensure the monarch’s safe return.
The incident has sent shockwaves across Okunland, where Oba Ogunyanda is held in high regard.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said investigations are ongoing.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, noted that a combined team of security personnel and local vigilantes had been mobilised to track down the perpetrators and rescue the traditional ruler.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, Tosin Olokun, has condemned the abduction in strong terms.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Sunday, Olokun described the attack as a serious threat to peace and tradition, linking the growing insecurity in the area to its porous border with Kwara State.
“This act of aggression against a revered monarch is a clear attack on our cultural heritage and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Olokun disclosed that security operatives, in collaboration with local hunters, have launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations. Surveillance has been intensified across strategic locations, while efforts are being made to locate the kidnappers’ hideouts, particularly in the forested areas that stretch into neighbouring Kwara.
He appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant, urging them to report any suspicious activity to security agencies or local authorities.
Olokun also warned against any form of reprisal, stressing that such actions could disrupt ongoing rescue efforts.
He added that many of the criminals taking advantage of the area’s terrain are not from the community but exploit its border routes through Isanlu Esa, Okoloke, and Okunran to hide in forests around Babanla, Babasango, and Ndanaku in Kwara State.
He assured residents of the local government’s commitment to restoring peace and security, expressing optimism that the abducted monarch and others in captivity would be rescued unharmed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the royal family and all those affected. With God’s help and the dedication of our security forces, we are hopeful for a safe and swift resolution,” he said.