The unabated rising insecurity in Nigeria is manifested across the country with the various attacks on schools, individuals and traditional rulers. With recent scenarios the traditional institutions have come under increasing attack. With the recent abductions of two monarchs in Kaduna experts warn that the traditional institution may be under threat.
Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, the Emir of Kajuru and 13 others were kidnapped on July 11 in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The kidnappers had demanded N2m. The 85-year-old second class traditional ruler was released after a night with his abductors.
Barely two weeks, the traditional ruler of Jaba, the Kpop Ham of Jaba chiefdom in Kaduna State, Jonathan Danladi Gyet Maude, was abducted around Panda in Nasarawa State while visiting his farm located on Gitata, a border town between Kaduna and Nasarawa states.
The 80-year-old first class monarch was released on Wednesday after spending two nights with his abductors. The kidnappers demanded a N100 million ransom. But it was unclear if if any ransom was paid or the royal father was rescued by security operatives.
At least 113 traditional rulers have been kidnapped in different parts of Nigeria in the past four years, a data examined by Daily Trust has shown. Below are the years under review and those who fell victims of this menace, which has become a ‘new normal’ in the country.
2018
In Achuma community of Kaduna State, His Royal Highness, Yohannah Kukah, the paramount ruler of Ikulu, was kidnapped in January for a ransom of N1million.
Also, on May 6, Alhaji Umar Awoje, the district head of Gulida, was kidnapped at Gulida village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a ransom of N10 million.
In Taraba, the chief of Sansani, Mallam Abdulmudallabi Nuhu and two others were abducted on the Jalingo Mutum Biyu road on May 29 for N50m.
Also, His Royal Majesty, Sunday Olisewokwu, the traditional ruler of Ogodor Kingdom, fell victim in Eri-Onicha-Olona communities in Delta State on June 3 for N200m.
Again, at Auga-Ise Akoko road in Ondo State, Olori Olukemi Agunloye, the wife of a additional ruler of Auga Akoko community and her driver were abducted for N1m.
These bring the number of abducted traditional rulers to eight within five months in 2018.
2019
In Zamdam, Katsina State, Babangida Lawal, the head of the village and a business man, Murtala Rabe, were kidnapped on June 1.
Furthermore, His Royal Majesty, Enogie Godwin, Alegbe Osayande, the Enogie of Ukhiri, was kidnapped at Ukhiri (town palace) in Edo State on March 17.
Queen Elizabeth Erebulu, the mother of the traditional ruler of Kabowei Kingdom, Shadrach Elebulu Adou and her sister, Mrs Okee Yawoma, were abducted at Patami town of Delta State on April 17. A sum of N11m was paid as ransom.
Again, in Daura, Katsina State, Alhaji Musa Umar, the Magajin Garin Daura, was kidnapped on May 1 and $30m was demanded as ransom.
On June 11, Alhaji Bature Mai’Unguwa, the village head of Labo, was abducted at his domain.
Alhaji Buhari Ammani, the district head of Yanbanka in Zamfara State, four family members and three others were abducted in his village on June 21.
Along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway in Enugu State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Sunday Orji and his wife, Obom Agboguaju, were kidnapped on August 4.
King Agbabou Week, the Ebenana of Tarakiri clan, was also abducted at Ayama-Ijaw, Bayelsa State, on October 2.
At Madaka and Kukoki villages in Niger State, the district head of Madaka, Alhaji Zakari Yau, his wife and two vigilante heads were kidnapped on December 4.
Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, the district head of Birnin Gwari central and Ibrahim Musa were kidnapped along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road on December 18. The kidnappers demanded N30m as ransom.
2020
In Ihitoha Uratta community of Imo State, the wife of the traditional ruler, Queen Comfort Okoro was also kidnapped on January 26.
More so, the district head of Gayari village in Zamfara State, Alhaji Hassan Muhammed and another man were abducted on the 31st of the same month. Their abductors demanded N40m, but N5m was said to have been paid.
In Benin City, Edo State, Queen Florence Ikhumhen, the wife of the traditional ruler of Ewatto Kingdom in Esan South-East Local Government Area, and her daughter were kidnapped in September. But no ransom was said to have been involved.
Read the full story in Daily Trust
