Authorities in southwest Nigeria report that armed men have shot and killed a traditional ruler, abducting his wife and another person.
On Thursday night, the assailants broke into the palace of former army general and king Segun Aremu, whose full name is Olukoro of Koro. It’s unclear who the gunmen were or if they’re asking for a ransom.
A state of emergency was called for to address the issue, and that is exactly what happened with this most recent murder and kidnapping.
More than 1,800 individuals have been kidnapped since President Bola Tinubu entered office in May of last year, according to some 50 civil society organizations, who want him to make that announcement.
However, according to Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, the actual number of kidnappings during that period may have been around 4,000, more than twice as high.
The payment of ransom money is illegal in Nigeria, regardless of how dire the situation. Nonetheless, a lot of victims settle because they have little faith in the government or its reputation.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq denounced the assassination of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara state as “reckless, shocking, and abominable” and swore that the authorities will apprehend those who were involved.
It’s a manhunt, according to the police. Additionally, they have assured the neighborhood that a police outpost will be established.
There are hundreds of traditional rulers in Nigeria who are well-respected members of the community despite having no official position under the constitution.
They are frequently asked to conduct cultural events and mediate conflicts between locals.
