By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A wave of fear has swept through Okoloke, a quiet town in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, following the abduction of its traditional ruler, Oba J.D. Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, the Obalohun of Okoloke, by unidentified gunmen during a midnight raid on Thursday.
The attackers, said to have arrived in large numbers, stormed the palace shortly after midnight, shooting sporadically into the air to scare off any resistance before whisking the monarch away to an undisclosed location. The invasion has left residents terrified and the community on edge.
“This is not just a criminal act, it is a grave insult to our heritage and a threat to our peaceful coexistence,” said the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Hon. Tosin Olokun, while confirming the incident. “We are working tirelessly to ensure Kabiyesi’s safe return. We won’t rest until he is back home.”
Olokun disclosed that security forces and local vigilantes have already launched a coordinated manhunt for the abductors, combing through forested areas believed to be criminal hideouts along the Kogi-Kwara border.
He explained that intelligence reports point to the attackers taking advantage of the porous terrain around Isanlu Esa, Okunran, and surrounding communities to move freely between states. “These forest paths have long posed a security concern. We are now working with our counterparts across Kwara State to seal off these escape routes,” Olokun added.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos and confusion as the gunmen fired shots, causing panic among residents. “We were jolted from sleep by gunshots. Before we could figure out what was going on, they had taken Kabiyesi,” said one resident who asked not to be named for security reasons.
In the aftermath of the attack, the council has urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and avoid any form of reprisal that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
“People must not take the law into their hands. We are already making progress with intelligence gathering. Reacting violently could derail our plans,” Olokun cautioned.
As the search continues, the council reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and restoring calm to the affected area. “We are hopeful that our monarch, and anyone else who may be held, will return home safe and unhurt,” Olokun said.
The abduction underscores growing security challenges in rural communities and the urgent need for enhanced surveillance along state borders to combat rising criminal activity.