Herdsmen abduct Delta monarch

By Emma Amaize & Egufe Yafugborhi ASABA—

SUSPECTED herdsmen, yesterday, kidnapped the traditional ruler of Agbarha Kingdom, Delta State, Orhifi Enemor II, while another royal father escaped abduction.

Vanguard gathered that the kidnappers laid ambush for Enemor II, who was on his way to Asaba for the monthly meeting of traditional rulers, just after Osisa Bridge in Ndokwa East Local Government Area. Meanwhile, a family source said, yesterday, that the kidnappers have demanded for a N50 million ransom.

The source said: “They have made contact, asking that they want N50 million. “The monarch told his abductors, who reportedly spoke Hausa language, that he is a royal father and offered them money to release him, but they refused. “They removed his crown and bundled him (Ovie of Agbarha kingdom) into the bush just like they did to the Ubulu Uku monarch, the

late Obi Ofulue, who they took hostage and killed last year.” The other royal father, Okukeren III, Ovie of Arhavwarien, an Urhobo Kingdom, however escaped. But his car was shot at. A source said the news of the kidnap of the Agbarha monarch shocked the royal fathers, who converged in Asaba for a meeting.

It was also learned that the kidnap of the royal father and escape of another was quickly relayed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the kidnap of the royal father of Agbarha yesterday, saying police were already on the hunt for the suspected kidnappers. Meanwhile, rights group, the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, NDPC, yesterday accused security operatives of ineptitude in the security of lives and properties in Delta State, saying they have lost control to hoodlums. National Coordinator, NDPC, Zik Gbemre, passed the vote of no confidence on the security operatives yesterday in Warri, following reports of the monarch’s abduction.

Gbemre, coming hard particularly on the Warri Area Command of the Nigeria Police, said since the exit of immediate past Area Commander, AC, M’hamed Mu’Azu, the command has lost grip of the area

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/herdsmen-abduct-delta-monarch/