Gunmen Kidnap Traditional Ruler In Delta, demand N15m

The Traditional Ruler of Ogodor Kingdom and chairman of Aniocha North Traditional Rulers Committee, HRM Sunday Olisewokwu, in Delta state has been reportedly abducted by seven gunmen suspected to be hersdsmen, who invaded his palace over the weekend.

Although the circumstances that led to the kidnap is still unclear, the state police command through its Public Relations Officer Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the kidnap.

The police PRO said that the men of the police force were already in the search of the victim in a nearby bush where he is suspected to have been held, hostage.

“As we speak now, our men are on a rescue mission in the bush where we suspect they may have kept him.

“The police has seen some light with respect to finding him and we shall contact you as soon as the monarch is rescued”.

Kidnappers Demand N15m Ransom

However, the Seven gunmen have demanded N15 million ransom to release the Obi of Ogodo, HRH Sunday Olisewokwu.

The Ogodo clan live in an agrarian community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The abductors were said to have demanded for the ransom with a caveat that it should be paid by 6 p.m yesterday.

But there were no indications that the matter was settled last night.

The monarch, who is in his 40s, was abducted yesterday by masked men between neighbouring Ezi and Onicha-Olona communities.

Olisewokwu is the chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Committee.

Family sources confirmed the abduction, saying two aides of the monarch were injured during the attack.

It was gathered that the abductors also allegedly attacked Ezi and Olona communities.

It was gathered that the hoodlums also attacked motorists travelling to Issele-Uku, the council’s administrative headquarters, through Idumu-Ogor.

They were said to have also beaten up a family of five on their farm.

A source said a search party comprising members of vigilance groups in Ogodo, Olona and Ezi was immediately constituted to trail the abductors and rescue their victim.

But their efforts had not yielded positive result at the time of filing this report last night.

Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

But he replied via a text message, saying: “I am in the CP’s briefing now. Pleases! I will call you later, sir!”