Police Rescues Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom From Kidnappers

The Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom, Delta State, Orhifi Enemor II, kidnapped, yesterday by suspected herdsmen has been liberated by the police and local vigilante.

According to Vanguard Report, he was rescued Wednesday evening following manhunt by the police and locals in the area, who combed the bush for him.

Our informant said: “The search party saw him at a spot in the bush where the kidnappers, knowing that security agents were hot on their trail, abandoned him and fled.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Andrew Animaka, had boasted when he spoke to Vanguard on Wednesday that the police would track down the criminals.

It will be recalled that suspected herdsmen, yesterday Dec. 21, kidnapped the traditional ruler of Agbarha Kingdom, Delta State, Orhifi Enemor II, while another royal father escaped abduction.

The kidnappers laid ambush for Enemor II, who was on his way to Asaba for the monthly meeting of traditional rulers, just after Osissa Bridge in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

A source revealed that the kidnappers demanded for a N50 million ransom. The source said: “They have made contact, asking that they want N50 million. “The monarch told his abductors, who reportedly spoke Hausa language, that he is a royal father and offered them money to release him, but they refused. “They removed his crown and bundled him (Ovie of Agbarha kingdom) into the bush just like they did to the Ubulu Uku monarch, the late Obi Ofulue, who they took hostage and killed last year.”

The other royal father, Okukeren III, Ovie of Arhavwarien, an Urhobo Kingdom, however escaped. But his car was shot at.

The news of the kidnap of the Agbarha monarch shocked the royal fathers, who converged in Asaba for a meeting.  It was also learned that the kidnap of the royal father and escape of another was quickly relayed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.