Suspected bandits have abducted Oba Adeniyi Adelana, the traditional ruler of Odo-Oriya community in Owo local government area of Ondo state.
The monarch, the Baale of Ode Oriya Village, was reportedly abducted on Saturday night, when gunmen invaded his palace. Spokesperson of the Ondo Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said the monarch’s wife sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and is receiving treatment.
According to the Police, the incident occurred at about 8:05 pm when approximately six armed men stormed the residence of the traditional ruler. “The assailants reportedly invaded the premises under the cover of darkness and forcefully whisked the victim away through a nearby bush path to an unknown destination”, part of the statement read.
Jimoh said the Divisional Police Officer in Owo immediately mobilised security personnel to the area after receiving a distress report.
“The area was swiftly secured, and a preliminary assessment of the crime scene was conducted as part of ongoing investigative efforts”, he said.
The Police spokesperson said the monarch’s wife was rescued and taken to a medical facility after she was shot in the hand. According to him, security operatives had launched a search-and-rescue operation across forests and surrounding communities.
He added that tactical deployments had been reinforced across the area to support the operation, stressing that CP Wilfred Afolabi had directed all tactical units and intelligence teams to intensify efforts to rescue the monarch and arrest the suspects.
