Family members of the abducted Oniba of Iba land, in Lagos State, Oba Goriola Oseni, say they have been left behind on efforts the Lagos State Government is making to rescue their 73-year-old monarch.
The family told PUNCH on Thursday that the government had not called them for any update or briefing on the extent of investigation 19 days after the kidnap, alleging that the government was becoming indifferent to the matter.
Recall that About 16 gun-wielding militants had, on Saturday, July 16, stormed Oseni’s palace at about 8.30pm, shooting into the air, after which they whisked him away in two speedboats.
During the attack, four residents were shot dead, including a palace guard, identified as Sunday Okanlawon, and a barber, identified as Rilwan.
Six days after the abduction, the militants were said to have contacted the monarch’s family, demanding N500m.
It was reported on Sunday, July 24, that the family members pleaded with the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to assist in raising the ransom and securing their father’s release.
One of the monarch’s daughters, who did not want her name in print, said the family had yet to hear from the state government or the police.
She said, “Baba (Oseni) has not been released. We are making efforts, but we do not know what the government is doing about this. Even if an animal gets missing, you look for it, let alone the king of a town, who has spent over 40 years on the throne.
“Having contributed much to the growth of the community and the state in general, his matter should be treated with more concern. The governor and his officials have not said anything lately about what is being done on the matter. As a family, we have not seen any green light from the government; we are in the dark.”
Another relation, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers were willing to release the monarch if some money was paid.
He said, “If the state government expedited action on this, Baba should have been released.
“The kidnappers are not saying they will not release him. If the government does what is necessary, the abductors will let go of the monarch.
“The state government is not serious about this. What the government is doing now, we do not really understand. For now, God is our hope.”
When asked whether the kidnappers had reduced the ransom, the family source said he would not want to make that public.
“The ransom is not the issue now. The kidnappers are ready to release Baba, but they want to get something. If one of the foremost rulers in the state has been abducted for 19 days and at that age, nothing significant has been done, this calls for serious attention,” he said.
The monarch’s son, Saheed, said he was not willing to comment on the incident.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said on Thursday that the police were still making efforts to rescue the monarch.
She said, “Investigation is ongoing. The police are on a rescue operation.”
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, did not pick the calls by our correspondent.
A text message sent to his phone on the incident had also yet to be replied to as of press time.
