In the early hours of Thursday, panic spread through the quiet Ofoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State as unknown gunmen stormed the palace of His Royal Highness, Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye.
The attackers, believed to be kidnappers, reportedly overpowered palace guards before abducting the traditional ruler.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived heavily armed and began shooting into the air to frighten people and prevent any interference during the operation.
“He was not even allowed to put on slippers or wear his shirt; he went with them wearing only boxer short nicker. It’s a sacrilege,” a source close to the palace said.
Residents revealed that there were rumors the previous day about possible attacks in the area. Unfortunately, those fears became reality for Ofoloke, as their monarch was forcefully taken away.
The community has since been in a state of fear and sadness. Many villagers have been visiting the palace to pray for the ruler’s safe return and are pleading with both state and federal authorities to act quickly.
As of Thursday afternoon, the kidnappers had yet to make any contact with the ruler’s family. Security efforts have since intensified. Local vigilantes, hunters, and other operatives have been deployed into surrounding forests in search of the monarch and his captors.
