Kidnappers Collected N15m Ransom from abducting Lagos Monarch
By Gboyega Akinsanmi – This Day
Three weeks after the Oniba of Iba land, Oba Goriola Oseni was abducted, a crack team of security operatives from Lagos State Police Command on Saturday secured the monarch’s release and arrested two suspects who narrated how they collected N15.1 million ransom from the monarch’s family.
The suspects – Toba Forejo and Isaiah Ododomu – gave accounts of how they broke into the palace of the monarch and kidnapped him on July 16 after they were paraded at the State House, Alausa on Sunday.
The suspects, who claimed to be indigenes of Ondo State, said a gang of nine armed men broke into the palace and kidnapped the monarch on that fateful day, noting that the king spent three weeks in the creeks with them.
In his account, Ododomu named others in the armed gang to include Toba, Igodo, Mighty, Folly and Sam, saying one Micah, who is a leader in the group, did not go with them because he was with his girlfriend at home.
One of the monarch’s sons, Kabiru Oseni, confirmed the king’s release, adding that Oba Goriola came through a jetty in the area.
He said, “He came in around 7pm. He just walked into the community. He came in through a jetty.”
The son declined to give further details.
A source told our correspondent that an undisclosed ransom was paid for the monarch’s release.
He said, “The Oba did not come in like he was rescued by the police. His coming back was without fanfare. He just walked into the community. It is in doubt that the police were involved in the rescue.
“The kidnappers are believed to have let go of him of their own will after the payment of a ransom. We do not yet know the amount paid.”
Oseni was kidnapped on July 16 by some gunmen who had demanded N500m for his release.
