Kidnapped Ondo monarch regains Freedom

The Ondo state Police command has said the abducted Laragunsin of Ode-Iyasan ‎community, Oba Abiodun Oyewunmi has been rescued unhurt.

Police public relations officer, Mr Femi Joseph said the royal father regained his freedom at Gbelegun village, a riverine community in Edo state early on Sunday through a combined efforts of the marine police, Police anti-kidnapping squad and some military officers.

The Monarch was abducted at his palace in Irele local government area of the State by some unknown kidnappers early last week.

The hoodlums demanded N40million ransom but it was not sure as at the time of filing this report if his abductors were paid the money before he was rescued.

A member of the House of Representatives from Okitipupa /Irele Federal Constituency of Ondo state, Hon. Mike Omogbehin has commended the nation’s security operatives especially the Military, the police anti-kidnapping unit and Marine Police for rescuing the monarch from his constituency.

Hon. Omogbehin who had earlier condemned the act, described such incident as strange in his Constituency and Yorubaland.

In a statement, the federal lawmaker said timely intervention of the police and other security agencies ensured that the monarch regained his freedom.

Hon. Omogbehin noted that the latest development had returned calmness and wiped out the tension as well as the state of uncertainty hitherto pervaded Iyasan, since Oba Oyewunmi was abducted.

Prince Omogbehin also challenged government and security agencies to give priority to the welfare of traditional rulers to enable them perform their critical roles of mobilising their subjects and stabilising the society for a better nation.

The PDP lawmaker commended the people of Iyasan and other neighbouring communities for assisting the police with useful information that led to the rescue of Oba Oyewunmi.

While felicitating with the monarch, Hon. Omogbehin urged the security operatives to intensify efforts that would lead to the arrest of the kidnappers and bring them to justice.