Dayo Johnson Akure
AT least seven suspected kidnappers invaded the palace of a traditional ruler in Ilaje Local government area of Ondo State, the Olubo of Obenla kingdom, Oba Kolawole Ikuesan but were prevented by his security guards.

But the traditional ruler who escaped death by whiskers was however matcheted when it became impossible for them to take him away following the intervention of his fierce looking security guards.

The guards and the suspected kidnappers who came at about 1am Friday exchanged gun shots for several hours before the kidnappers fled.

Weekend Vanguard gathered that on arrival at the palace of the Oba, the kidnappers fired several gun shots to scare people living within the palace and ended up riddling the building with bullets.

It was learnt that as soon as the kidnappers gained entry into the building, they headed straight to the bedroom of the traditional ruler who was still sleeping.

The sporadic gun shot it was gathered alerted the Oba but before he could escape the kidnappers pounced on him and asked him to surrender and to follow them to the waiting speed boat.

But reliable source hinted that the traditional ruler declined following the kidnappers and in a bid to demobilise him they matcheted him with a cutlass.

They ended up carrying the Oba to the jetty but unknown to the kidnappers, the Obas security guards have laid ambush for them on their way to the jetty.

During the exchange of gun shot between the security guards and the kidnappers, the Oba it was said narrowly escaped. The kidnappers when it was evidence that they have been over powered took to their heels without taking along their victim.

Speaking with newsmen a relation to the monarch, Adesina Erejuwa confirmed the invasion of the palace by the suspected kidnappers.

Erejuwa said, “Oba Ikuesan was lucky to escape from the hands of the kidnappers. The abductors fired several gunshots at his residence before he was whisked away.

“They took him to the jetty where he managed to escape from them. He is badly injured because he was matcheted many times by these abductors”.

Erejuwa explained further that the matter had been reported at the police station, stressing that the men of the Navy had been contacted to rescue him from the jetty back to his residence.

He also appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the monarch and his entire household.

‘We are appealing to Governor Olusegun Mimiko to come to the aid of the monarch whose life his under serious threat”, he added.

‘We have to thank God for spearing his life because he was badly injured by the kidnappers while trying to argue with them”.