Kidnapped Ogoni Traditional Ruler Tied To A Tree, Left To Die By Kidnappers—Police

The Divisional Police officer in charge of Bori division, SP Bako Angbashim, has revealed how a traditional ruler in the area was killed.

The police officer spoke to THE WHISTLER after he led a team into the forest to exhume the decomposing remains of the monach.

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A traditional ruler from Luuwa Community in Khana Local Government Area, Chief Robert Loolo, was abducted by unknown men since June 2019 and had not been found until the police arrested one of the kidnappers who led officers and some elders of the community to the forest where the monach was eventually buried.

Late Chief Loolo, who was kidnapped at his palace in Luuwa community and was never seen again even after the deceased children paid an undisclosed sum of money as ransom to the kidnappers.

Angbashim led the team to a forest linking Luuwa, Bera and Bani Communities where the remains of Chief Loolo were exhumed.

The DPO was forced to embark on the search following the arrest of one of the abductors who confessed to having a hand in the disappearance of the late monarch.

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In a telephone conversation with THE WHISTLER, Sp Agbashim expressed regret and disappointment at how young and innocent- looking men indulge in such barbaric acts just to make money.

“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.

“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.”

The DPO 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.

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“This is a king the entire community never believed he was dead. They still thought he was alive and kept somewhere.”

Agbashim advised kidnappers and all those involved in criminal activities to vacate Ogoniland or repent, as the police would stop at nothing to ensure the perpetrators of the heinous crime are arrested and prosecuted.

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