By Chuks Onuoha.
Superintendent Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police officer in charge of Bori division of the Nigerian Police in River state has given a blood chilling narration on how a traditional ruler in Ogoni land was gruesomely killed by young men who kidnapped him for ransom.
He made the narration after leading a team of investigative police officers into the forest to exhume the decomposing remains of the monarch, from Luuwa Community in Khana Local Government Area, Chief Robert Loolo.
He said that Loolo was abducted by unknown men in June 2019 and was not found until the police arrested one of the kidnappers who led them and some elders of the community to the forest where the monarch was buried.
According to the police Officer, Loolo Late Chief Loolo was kidnapped at his palace in Luuwa community and was never seen again even after his children paid an undisclosed huge sum of money as ransom to the kidnappers.
Angbashim said that he led the team to a forest linking Luuwa, Bera and Bani Communities where the remains of Chief Loolo were exhumed following the arrest of the suspect.
The DPO , who narrated that he was forced to embark on the search following the arrest of the abductors who confessed to having a hand in the disappearance of the late monarch expressed regret and disappointment over how young and innocent- looking men could indulge in such barbaric acts to make money.
He explained that traditional ruler was tied to a stick in a deep forest and left their to die.
“Imagine how a Paramount ruler would be kidnapped and tied to a stick in a deep forest and left to die, where no one can offer help nor ever imagine to visit.”
“It baffles me to the marrows when I conduct some criminal investigations and find out things most of our young men do just to make money. It’s really painful and wicked.
He said certain rituals were carried out by some youths and elders of the community after the remains of the late traditional ruler was exhumed before it was brought into Luuwa community for further traditional cleansing and burial preparations.
“Some elders and youths that accompanied us for identification purposes had to perform certain rituals upon recognizing some of his belongings and remains before we could proceed to return his remains to the palace, he explained, adding, “this was a king the entire community never believed was dead, but still thought he was alive and was being kept somewhere in the state.
He advised kidnappers and those involved in criminal activities to vacate Ogoniland or repent, because the police would stop at nothing to ensure that they are arrested and prosecuted. END
