By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
THE family of the abducted Kogi First Class traditional ruler Pa. Dada James Ogunyanda, has appealed to Corporate Organizations and public spirited individuals to come to their aid in raising the N50 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
Pa Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi was abducted from his palace at about 2 am on Thursday, May 14, and has been in the kidnappers den since then.
A highly reliable family source from the palace who prefers anonymity disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja.
The source also debunked the media report that the ransom has been negotiated down to N12 million saying, “As at yesterday, Sunday, we had, as family members, raised the sum of N25 million, but the kidnappers are insisting on N50 million. They originally demanded for N100 million.
“Our major frustration as a family is that government people and politicians who are our friends and cousins have abandoned us in the struggle to safe the life of the traditional ruler.”
The source particularly chided members of the National Assembly from Kogi West and especially, Kabba indigenous for neglecting the cause adding that some of them had even blocked the phone lines of members of the family.
“We are no longer accessing help from expected quarters. We are highly worried because the health of our King is deteriorating. That was why we struggled to sell our belongings to raise N25m. We could have made up the N50m if we had had any help from our politicians.
“I therefore use this medium to appeal to all public spirited individuals and Corporate Organizations to help make up the N50m. The life of our King is in danger, we need help from anywhere possible, journalists, bankers, teachers, traders etc.
“We call on Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Sunday Karimi, Hon. Leke Abejide, Hon Faleke, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Oduaghan and other politicians from the state and Local Government Chairmen to help us raise this fund.
“The entire family is in distress over the welfare of our king who was abducted since five days ago. We are also pleading with all pastors and Imams not to relent in their prayers for God’s intervention.
“We are also appealing to security agencies to intensify their efforts to rescue the old man alive and unhurt. We value him so much. We are praying that God will give the security agencies upper hand in their work to rescue all victims in captivity.” (Ends)