After nearly a month in captivity, the Obalohun of Okoloke, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, has regained his freedom in what residents of Yagba West, Kogi State, are calling a miracle. The revered monarch, who was kidnapped from his palace in the early hours of May 15, 2025, finally returned to his people on Wednesday, June 11, amid widespread jubilation.
The traditional ruler’s sudden reappearance — arriving on a motorbike, visibly exhausted but alive — brought an emotional wave of celebration across Okoloke. Residents lined the roads, chanting, singing, and embracing their monarch in a heartfelt homecoming that many feared might never happen.
Sources close to the palace revealed that a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors, who had initially demanded a staggering sum of ₦100 million. Though the exact amount paid remains undisclosed, insiders suggest negotiations had been tense and prolonged, with the kidnappers refusing to lower their terms for weeks.
A digital creator, Opaluwa Omera Ugbede, who shared the first footage of the monarch’s return on social media, lamented the government’s lack of tangible intervention. “It was the will of the people, their persistence, prayers, and efforts, not the government, that brought our king back,” he said.
Oba Ogunyanda’s ordeal began when armed men stormed his palace in a well-coordinated attack, overpowering palace guards and whisking the monarch away to an undisclosed location. The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident and assured the public that a joint security task force, including local vigilantes and hunters, was immediately deployed to track the assailants.
Reacting to the monarch’s abduction, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, Hon. Tosin Olokun, condemned the act, describing it as a “brazen and despicable affront” to the region’s cultural heritage and peace.
“This reprehensible attack on a revered traditional ruler is a direct assault on our values and identity,” Olokun declared. “In swift response, security operatives and local hunters launched coordinated operations to locate His Royal Highness and others in captivity. While we are relieved he is back, this is a wake-up call to intensify efforts against insecurity.”
Despite his return, community leaders and security analysts are raising urgent questions about the rising wave of kidnapping in Kogi State, especially the vulnerability of high-profile figures. Residents are demanding stronger government intervention and enhanced protection for traditional rulers who serve as custodians of history and unity.
As the Okoloke community breathes a collective sigh of relief, Oba Ogunyanda’s safe return stands as a symbol of communal resilience, even as it casts a spotlight on the urgent need for a more responsive and effective security strategy in Nigeria.
“We thank God for sparing our king’s life,” said an elderly resident. “But we will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice.”
PIONEER NEWS 