Militants demand N500m for release of Lagos monarch

          

Suspected Niger Delta militants who abducted Oba Yushau Oseni have issued a warning to Yorubaland to be prepared for more attack. The foremost Yoruba monarch was abducted on Saturday, July 16 in his palace by militants who gained access through the waterways and also shot his wife.

Five other persons were also shot by the militants and while three of them passed away, two are still recuperating in the hospital. Militants abduct Oba Oseni from his Lagos palace 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. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Oseni Vanguard reports that the abductors have contacted the family of the monarch asking for N500 million in ransom. A palace source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said when the abductors requested for the ransom, the family begged them to consider the health of the 73-year-old monarch and release him. The kidnappers however rejected the plea and said Lagos monarchs were rich and could afford the N500 million. “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.” A palace staff said the militants said the kidnap of the monarch was a message to the state and federal government that they were still capable of committing atrocities in spite of the attempt to deploy more security operatives to combat them. Ambode declares war against kidnappers, criminals “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.” They warned that this was just the beginning of their planned attacks in the south west. “South-West states should be prepared for more.” One of the children of the king said family members were worried over the health of the septuagenarian and had gone into prayers. “We are appealing to them not to hurt him and allow him return home safely”, he begged. Sources close to the family of the Oba have also confirmed the demand made by the kidnappers. “I understand a family member was contacted this morning and, but the amount the kidnappers want is something that is out of this world for the family. “We are still pleading with them to have a change of heart. This man is old and should not be suffering like this,” the source who is not the official spokesman for the family said.

Suspected Niger Delta militants who abducted Oba Yushau Oseni have issued a warning to Yorubaland to be prepared for more attack. The foremost Yoruba monarch was abducted on Saturday, July 16 in his palace by militants who gained access through the waterways and also shot his wife. Five other persons were also shot by the militants and while three of them passed away, two are still recuperating in the hospital. READ ALSO: Militants abduct Oba Oseni from his Lagos palace 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. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Oseni Vanguard reports that the abductors have contacted the family of the monarch asking for N500 million in ransom. A palace source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said when the abductors requested for the ransom, the family begged them to consider the health of the 73-year-old monarch and release him. The kidnappers however rejected the plea and said Lagos monarchs were rich and could afford the N500 million. “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.” A palace staff said the militants said the kidnap of the monarch was a message to the state and federal government that they were still capable of committing atrocities in spite of the attempt to deploy more security operatives to combat them. READ ALSO: Ambode declares war against kidnappers, criminals “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.” They warned that this was just the beginning of their planned attacks in the south west. “South-West states should be prepared for more.” One of the children of the king said family members were worried over the health of the septuagenarian and had gone into prayers. “We are appealing to them not to hurt him and allow him return home safely”, he begged. Sources close to the family of the Oba have also confirmed the demand made by the kidnappers. “I understand a family member was contacted this morning and, but the amount the kidnappers want is something that is out of this world for the family. “We are still pleading with them to have a change of heart. This man is old and should not be suffering like this,” the source who is not the official spokesman for the family said.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/901726-kidnap-lagos-monarch-yorubaland-prepare-militants-issue-warning.html

Suspected Niger Delta militants who abducted Oba Yushau Oseni have issued a warning to Yorubaland to be prepared for more attack. The foremost Yoruba monarch was abducted on Saturday, July 16 in his palace by militants who gained access through the waterways and also shot his wife. Five other persons were also shot by the militants and while three of them passed away, two are still recuperating in the hospital. READ ALSO: Militants abduct Oba Oseni from his Lagos palace 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. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Oseni Vanguard reports that the abductors have contacted the family of the monarch asking for N500 million in ransom. A palace source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said when the abductors requested for the ransom, the family begged them to consider the health of the 73-year-old monarch and release him. The kidnappers however rejected the plea and said Lagos monarchs were rich and could afford the N500 million. “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.” A palace staff said the militants said the kidnap of the monarch was a message to the state and federal government that they were still capable of committing atrocities in spite of the attempt to deploy more security operatives to combat them. READ ALSO: Ambode declares war against kidnappers, criminals “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.” They warned that this was just the beginning of their planned attacks in the south west. “South-West states should be prepared for more.” One of the children of the king said family members were worried over the health of the septuagenarian and had gone into prayers. “We are appealing to them not to hurt him and allow him return home safely”, he begged. Sources close to the family of the Oba have also confirmed the demand made by the kidnappers. “I understand a family member was contacted this morning and, but the amount the kidnappers want is something that is out of this world for the family. “We are still pleading with them to have a change of heart. This man is old and should not be suffering like this,” the source who is not the official spokesman for the family said.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/901726-kidnap-lagos-monarch-yorubaland-prepare-militants-issue-warning.html