Traditional rulers who have been to kidnappers’ den

Katsina

On January 6th, Mr Babangida Lawal a traditional ruler of Zandam community in Jibia Local government area of Katsina state was kidnapped by armed bandits. He was kidnapped alongside a popular businessman in the community, Mr Murtala Rabea. It was reported that the Kidnappers invaded their homes at night and whisked them away.

Edo

March 16th, unknown gunmen abducted a traditional ruler, the Enogie of Ukhiri, in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Godwin Osayande Aigbe. Known by the title, Enogie (Duke) of Ukhiri, he was a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, who took over the traditional stool from his late father some years ago. He was released early hours of Thursday, March 21st by his abductors after spending six nights in the kidnappers’ den. He, however, declined to discuss whether or not ransom was paid to his abductors.

Katsina

May 1st,  2019, Magajin Garin Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, was abducted from his Daura residence shortly after maghrib prayers. The abductors made contact with the family after some hours. The Magajin Garin Daura regained freedom after two months in captivity, when he was freed by his abductors in Kano on July 1st.  It’s nor certain if any ransom was paid.

Enugu

On August 5, the traditional ruler of Obom Autonomous Community in Agbogugu, Awgu local government area of Enugu state, Sunday Orji, and his wife were kidnapped. The monarch and his wife were kidnapped along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway near Ogbaku town in the evening. Sources said they were kidnapped while on their way for a thanksgiving service of a newly-ordained Catholic priest from Obinagu community, Agbogugu. However, the abductors have reportedly contacted the royal family, demanding a N50 million ransom. They were, however, released two days after, on the 7th of August, it’s unclear if any ransom was paid and how much.

Abuja

Mohammed Ibrahim Pada, a third class traditional ruler of Rubochi in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT was kidnapped from his palace on 27 November by armed kidnappers.  He was rescued after two days in captivity on the 30th of November.

Kaduna

Thursday, 19th December, ‘Men in military uniform’ abducted the district head of Birnin Gwari  Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar Yahaya alongside a Former Educational Secretary of the Local Government, Ibrahim Musa, who was travelling in the same vehicle with the district head. The incident happened around 2 p.m. at Unguwar Yako. His abductors are said to have made contact demanding a ransom of N30 million.

It would be recalled that there have been reported cases or of kidnapped traditional rulers. In 2011 nine traditional rulers were kidnapped, 2015 witnessed four cases, 2016 had eight cases, while 2018 recorded eleven cases.