Contrary to Friday night rumour of the release of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Yishau Gorioila Oseni, The Nations can authoritatively reveal that the kidnapped monarch is still in the custody of his abductors.
Social media at the weekend was abuzz with news abut the alleged release of the 73 year-old monarch, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Saturday the16th of this month.
Our reporter, who was at the palace of the monarch shortly after the monthly environmental sanitation yesterday, met some of the town’s high chiefs, who expressed surprise and disgust at the rumour.
One of the Chiefs who pleaded not to be named, said: “It’s (release) all rumours. We wonder where those people got their information from. We were all here (palace) yesterday. We want to thank you for coming here to find the truth yourself.
The family’s spokesperson, Saheed Oseni, told our reporter yesterday that he was shocked when some people, including journalists bombarded him with calls to confirm the rumour.
Nonetheless, Oseni said he is optimistic that when such rumour breaks, it is an indication that something positive about their breadwinner is underway. “We were also shocked when we heard the rumour yesterday,” Oseni told our reporter.
“Shortly after the rumour, people including journalists started calling me to confirm if the information was true and I said no. I enjoin you to look around yourself and also see if you see smiles on the faces of people to show that something good had just happened in the palace.
“There is no way a king can be released without people seeing signs to confirm it. You would have seen the entire community and outsiders coming here to confirm and congratulate us. It is not possible; we can’t hide him.