The Lagos State Police command has confirmed the kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba community, Lagos State, Oba Goriola Oseni- the Oniba of Iba by unknown gunmen on Saturday.

According to reports, the gunmen arrived the community on Saturday, around 10:30pm in two speedboats.

An eye witness said the gunmen shot sporadically to announce their presence, making people scamper for safety.

“The gunmen came in at about 10pm, shooting indiscriminately. They had earlier gone to the Agbede area of Ikorodu, and tried to abduct some oil dealers; but they failed. They then made their way to Iba through the waterways.

“They went to the palace and dragged the traditional ruler out. The residents tried to prevent their entry into the palace and one of them, who worked with the Neighbourhood Watch, was shot dead. A motorcycle rider was also killed,” he said.

Another resident said people have started leaving the community, for fear of being unsafe.

“My wife and I initially thought vigilantes were at work, but with the persistence of the shooting, we sensed the community was under attack.

“The gunshots woke up my two children. For one hour, I was confused. My wife, the children and I held on to one another. It was this morning (Sunday) that I heard that the king was abducted by militants. They killed his guard and shot his wife in the leg.”

The elder brother of the abducted monarch and the Oloto of Otto, Oba Josiah Aina, who spoke with PUNCH Metro on the phone, said the family had not been contacted for any ransom.

He said, “We have not been contacted for ransom. The monarch’s wife is receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the kidnap of the monarch.

She said the command was working with the Ogun State Police Command to rescue the victim and arrest the suspects.

She said, “It is a new trend. Because they can no longer vandalised pipelines, these militants have resorted to kidnapping. The command has been arresting them and rescuing their victims. The latest will not be different.

“The Lagos and Ogun states governments are getting involved in the operation. We are optimistic that this problem will soon come to an end.”