“Our Father’s Life At Grave Risk” – Family Of Kidnapped Kogi Monarch

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“The abductors have refused N25m we raised so far while everybody has abandoned us to our fate”

The family of the abducted Kogi State first class Monarch, Dada James Ogunyanda, has sent a distressed appeal to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,Dino Melaye, Senator Sunday Karim, Hon James Falake,and other prominent and public spirited sons and daughters of Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi State in general to urgently assist in the rescue efforts of the Royal Father.

This is just as it debunked claims that the kidnappers of the elderly traditional ruler have scaled down the ransom to N12 million.

Pa Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke Autonomous Community in Yagba West Local Council, who was kidnapped in the wee hours of Thursday, May 14,

2025, from his Palace, has since been in abductors’ den.

His captors had on Saturday, May 17, demanded a whopping sum of N100 million for his release.

However, by Sunday, May,18, it was reported that the hoodlums had brought down the ransom to N12 million due to a passionate plea made over the deteriorating health condition of their victim.

However, speaking on the issue on Monday May 19, 2025, a member of the Monarchs family, stated that the abductors have  rejected the sum of N25 million so far raised, insisting on N50 million instead.

“As of yesterday (Sunday), we had, as family members, raised the sum of N25 million, but the kidnappers are insisting on N50 million. They originally demanded N100 million.

“Our major frustration as a family is that Government officials and politicians who are our friends and relations have abandoned us in the struggle to save the life of the Traditional Ruler, especially members of the National Assembly from Kogi West.

Some of them have even blocked our telephone lines and we are no longer accessing help expected quarters.

“We are seriously worried because the health of our patriarch is fast deteriorating.That was why we had to sell our properties to raise N25m.

“We could have completed the N50 million being demanded if help had been forthcoming”, a family member volunteered

Consequently, the family has called on well-meaning and concerned Nigerians, irrespective of creed, ethnic and political backgrounds and religious persuasion, to assist in securing the aged monarch’s freedom.

They also appealed  to security agencies ,and other relevant authorities to enhance efforts at ensuring that  their father is released unhurt.