Armed men have kidnapped Oba David Wada, the traditional ruler and district head of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The monarch was seized on Monday evening while returning from a traditional council meeting in Abejukolo, the headquarters of Omala LGA.
According to witnesses, the ruler was riding on a motorcycle when he ran into an ambush at Ojuwo Ugweche. The attackers reportedly dragged him into the bush at gunpoint.
The spot where he was taken is infamous for abductions. Locals say it is often guarded by vigilantes and security operatives, but none were present at the time of the attack.
Confirming the incident, the paramount ruler of Omala, Onu Ife, Boniface Musa, appealed to security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of Oba Wada.
Police spokesperson SP Williams Aya also confirmed the abduction. He said security operatives, hunters and vigilante groups have been deployed to comb the forests in search of the monarch.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had yet to make contact with the ruler’s family.
The incident comes less than two weeks after two clergymen were abducted by gunmen along the Itobe axis in Kogi East.
