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Nigeria Police Launch Operation To Rescue Ondo Monarch Kidnapped By Gunmen

Nigeria Police Launch Operation To Rescue Ondo Monarch Kidnapped By Gunmen
December 2, 2022

The police spokesperson also said an investigation into the abduction had begun.

The Ondo Command of the Nigeria Police Force says it has commenced a rescue operation to free the traditional ruler of Oso Ajowa- Akoko, Oba Clement Olukotun, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Ajowa-Akoko is in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The monarch was abducted in his residence around 10.15 pm on Thursday by gunmen.

However, the command's spokesperson, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the abduction of Oba Olukotun, in a telephone interview on Friday, said the tactical squad of the command had been deployed to the location.

The police spokesperson also said an investigation into the abduction had begun.

“It is true the traditional was kidnapped but an investigation has since been launched. However, police from the Divisional Police headquarters at Oke-Agbe, headquarters of Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been deployed in the town to launch an investigation into the incident," she said.

Asked whether the command has established the whereabouts of the monarch, the police spokesperson said "you don't expect me to start sharing our operational tactics with the media."

The PUNCH reports that the gunmen had stormed the residence of the victim and shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.

Sources who spoke to the newspaper said the hoodlums also shot at the monarch’s main door to gain access into his residential building before whisking him away.

He said, “When they (hoodlums) got to the house, they surrounded the building and started ordering the monarch and other occupants to open the door and surrender willingly, but nobody answered. At this point, they started shooting.

“They destroyed the main door and entered. They terrorised Kabiyesi (monarch) and his family members before dragging him out and taking him away. None of the family members had been contacted, but we knew they were kidnappers.”

The source, however, noted that nobody was killed during the operation which he said lasted for about 30 minutes.