The Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council and Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon, Ogoni-Ogboro I, has condemned on behalf of traditional rulers of Urhobo stock, the abduction of the Odionlogbo of Olomoro Kingdom, HRM Josiah Umukoro, who was last Friday kidnapped in front of his palace by unknown assailants.
The monarch also condemned in strong terms the killing of Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, HRH Agbogidi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III, who was kidnapped by unknown men in Aniocha South Local Government Area, also in Delta State, and his decomposing body found in a bush.
He said the “kidnap of another king has left bad taste in our mouths. We call on the abductors to release him unharmed.”
The traditional ruler added that: “It is a misnomer for kidnappers to kidnap a monarch, a revered king; we the Urhobo traditional rulers in Delta State cannot take this.”
He condemned, in strong terms, the abduction of the Odionlogbo just few weeks after the Obi of Ubulu-Uku was kidnapped and his body found decomposing in a bush.
“The Kidnap of the Olomoro king is highly condemnable as we had just lost the king of Ubulu-Uku through kidnap. It means that our security as traditional rulers is not guaranteed in the state.
“We demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the Olomoro King by his abductors. Whoever touches a king touches a representative of God’s authority.
“We call on the security operatives to beef up security around the kings henceforth, as we have become a soft target. We call on the state government not to be tired in the war against criminality,” the 99-year-old king noted.
According to him, if the kidnappers free the monarch, they would be forgiven, but if not, they should be prepared to die.