Abductors of the monarch of Oniba Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni, have demanded N500 million ransom, The Nation can authoritatively reveal.
As at Friday, the family members of the royal father were in frenzy on how to constantly keep in touch with the abductors who have heightened tension in the palace as they refused to reach the family on phone since Saturday night when the monarch was kidnapped.
A family source told our reporter who was at the monarch palace on Friday that the abductors had reached the family on Thursday night where they initially demanded N500 million and insisted they would not renegotiate.
“The abductors called us on Thursday night to identify themselves that they are from Niger Delta,” the source said. They then demanded N500 million ransom. We pleaded with them that we don’t have that kind of money. They said our father (Oniba) is well connected to government.
“They were even angry that he (Oniba) too was a part of those instrumental to the change of government which once had their kinsmen at the centre. They threatened that his abduction will be the beginning of a grand plan to abduct traditional rulers and other important personalities in Lagos.”
The source further added that the abductors told them to approach government if they could not raise the said sum.
Nonetheless, the source said immediately after the phone call, they put a call through to two government officials yesterday but their responses were not too encouraging.
“The first government official we spoke to was a commissioner but up till now whe has neither called back, nor reply the SMS we sent to him. The second person responded but only saidwe should relax as government is on top of the matter.
“We are not happy because for five days , the abductors failed to call, creating more anxiety in the palace. Now that they are demanding a ransom, is it not for government to promptly rise to the occasion,” the source asked rhetorically.
It will be recalled that the 73 year monarch was kidnapped on Saturday evening. While trying to escape, the kidnappers shot dead one of Onibas’ guards, Sunday Okanlawon, a motorcyclist and public transport operator.