LAGOS JANUARY 30TH (URHOBOTODAY)- Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday morning abducted the traditional ruler (Odio Ologbo ) of Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majes¬ty, Umukoro Josiah Aghaza to an unknown destination.
This is coming barely a week after the traditional ruler of Ub¬ulu-Uku kingdom in Aniocha North, HRM Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, kidnapped weeks ago by suspected Fulani herdsmen was found dead in his abductors hideout.
The monarch who is popular¬ly known as Odio Ologbo was ab¬ducted in front of his palace gate between 7:30 to 8 a.m.
He is one of the prominent monarchs in Isoko-speaking area of Delta State.
The Isoko monarch, sourc¬es said resides outside the palace and was on his way to the palace where he was expected to hold meetings with some palace chiefs.
Our source reliably gathered on Sat¬urday re that the monarch’s convoy was waylaid as he was about entering the palace from his residence for the day’s meeting.
Isoko South Council Chair¬man, Sir Itiako Constantine Ik¬pokpo confirmed the incident in a brief statement. He assured that he is confident that the abducted mon¬arch would be rescued.
“Yes, he was abducted this morning in Olomoro. I was alerted at about 8:30am. The po¬lice and army swung immediate¬ly into action with the help of the vigilante. We are confident he will be rescued,” Ikpokpo said.
The Delta Police Command on also confirmed the kidnap of King Umukoro Josiah, Aghaza 1 of Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Celestina Kalu confirmed the abduction of the monarch in text messages sent to newsmen in Warri.
“The Olomoro King, Aghaza 1 was kidnapped in his office in Olomoro community.
“The kidnappers are heading to unknown destination with a Dark Green Rav 4 Jeep’’.
Kalu said that the police were on the trail of the abductors assuring that they would soon catch up with them.
Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the monarch was abducted at about 7:30 am on Friday in his palace at Ekiagbodo.
Josiah ascended the ancestral stool of the Olomoro in January 2014 and he is said to be the eleventh monarch in the kingdom.
NAN reports that the abduction was barely a week the decomposed body of another monarch in the area, King Akaeze Ofulue 111 of Ubulu-Uku was found in a bush in Umunede, Delta.
Ofulue was also allegedly abducted by gunmen.
(NAN)