Why we kidnapped Lagos monarch — Abductors

Barely a week after a Lagos traditional
ruler, Oniba of Iba Town, Oba Yushau Oseni
was kidnapped in his palace, his abductors
have explained the reason behind their
action, just as they contacted the family
yesterday demanding N500 million ransom
before his release.
It will be recalled that the 73-year-old
monarch was abducted by gunmen, last
Saturday, 16th July, 2016 and shot five
persons including the wife of the monarch
in the process.
Three of the victims died while two
survivors were said to be recuperating in
different hospitals.
The deceased were identified as 25-year-
old, Riliwan Rasak, an artisan, Sunday
Okanlawon, the palace guard and a-yet-to-
be-identified commercial motorcycle
operator.
When Saturday Vanguard visited the palace
of the monarch at about 1:30 pm, sympa-
thizers continued to throng the residence to
console the family and pray for the safe
return of the Oba.
In an interview with Saturday Vanguard , a
palace source who preferred anonymity,
disclosed that the abductors have
contacted the family and demanded N500
million before he would be released.
However, the source said that during the
conversation the family begged the
abductors to consider the health of the
monarch and release him to the family.
The plea, it was gathered fell on deaf ears
as the abductors told the family that Lagos
monarchs are rich and can afford the huge
ransom.
According to the source, "They
(kidnappers) said that they are aware of
the dignitaries including the Deputy
Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule who had visited
the family and that the dignitaries can
afford the ransom
Reason for abduction
On the reason for his abduction, the family
source said, "They (kidnappers ) said that
he (Oba) is highly influential in the
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
administration and the administration
recognises his contribution to the
development of the state. But a member of
the family who spoke with the abductors
begged them yet they refused even as they
assured the family that the king was safe
with them."
It was also gathered that the abductors
claimed that they abducted the monarch as
a warning to the Federal Government and
to attract the attention of both the Federal
and state governments
According to one of the palace staff, "the
kidnappers during conversation argued that
they could not continue their pipeline
vandalism because President Muhammadu
Buhari's administration has intensified
security around the pipelines, hence, the
option of kidnapping."
The kidnappers were said to have
threatened that it was the beginning of their
operation, saying, "South-West states
should be prepared for more."
One of the children of the monarch, said
the family members of the Oba have gone
into serious prayer sessions as immediate
and extended families of the monarch were
worried over his state of health and
continued captivity. "We are appealing to
them (kidnappers) not to hurt him and
allow him return home safely", he begged.
Meanwhile, one of the monarch's daughters
and former boss, Iba Local Government
Council, Mrs. Ramota Oseni, admitted that
the abductors had contacted the family
since July 20 but the family decided to
make the ransom public as they could no
longer resolve it internally.