WARRI – The Odiologbo of Olomoro Kingdom, HRM Josaih Umukoro Aghaza 1, who was kidnapped last week, has been released by his abductors.
Confirming his release, the Police in Delta State Command, through the Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu on Tuesday said the traditional ruler who was allegedly kidnapped near his office was freed ‘while conducting guided search in the bush around Sapele area’.
She said a combined team of the Police and local security groups were involved in the rescue operation
According to Kalu,’The victim has been escorted to his palace where he has since reunited with his family. Efforts are being made to arrest the miscreants’, she said.
The Police spokesperson however did not disclose how much ransom was paid to secure the monarch’s release from the abductors as it is customary for the police to feign ignorance of payment of ransom by victims of abduction.
HRM, Josaih Umukoro’s kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N50 million as a condition for his release.
It will be recalled that gunmen, shooting sporadically last week, abducted the 96-year-old Odio-ologobo (traditional ruler) of Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Josiah Umukoro Aghaza I.
The traditional ruler’s abduction and subsequent release occurred less than a week after the of King of Ubulu -Uku, Akaeze Ofulue 111 was kidnapped and eventually killed by the kidnappers.