By Emma Amaize & Ochuko Akuopha

OLOMORO—KIDNAPPERS of the Odio-Ologbo of Olomoro Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM, Josiah Aghaza I, who demanded N50 million ransom before  releasing the monarch, are still holding the 96-year-old monarch, 48 hours after they took him hostage. He was abducted on January 29.

Enraged traditional rulers in the state, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, called on the state government to provide them adequate security, noting that government was not doing much about their safety.

The Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, led by the Obi of Owa Kingdom, had last week, slammed the state government for the poor security for royal fathers and asked the state government to guarantee their safety.

Also, Deltans in the United States, speaking through Dr. Isioma Okobah, also called for improved security for traditional rulers.

Tension

Meanwhile, tension heightened, yesterday in Olomoro, as youths in the community,  not satisfied with the assurance of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Usman Alkali, who visited on Saturday to douse tension, have threatened to shut down the flow station in the area and barricade the Asaba/Onitsha expressway.

An indigene of the community told our reporter on phone: “As far as we are concerned, we do not believe that the state government and the security agencies are doing enough to bring our monarch back to us. It is the duty of government to provide security and you know this was how they watched, claiming they were working and Fulani herdsmen killed the Obi of Ubulu-Uku kingdom.”

Also, the paramount ruler of Siembiri Kingdom, HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu, said government was not serious with the security of royal fathers.

“After the hijack of a Bayelsa State monarch by kidnappers from Kokori in Delta State in 2013, the then governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, directed that local governments in the state should be responsible for the security of royal fathers in their areas by providing at least two police officers for them.

The Chairman in Burutu Local Government Area at the time implemented the directive, but his successor cancelled the arrangement in 2014 and I am sure this is the situation in other local governments in the state.”

“The monarch urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to enforce the directive or provide funding to the councils to implement it if that was the problem.

The royal father said that during the time of Uduaghan, the governor, security chiefs in the state, council chairmen and traditional rulers met quarterly to discuss security situation and also implored Governor Okowa to re-establish the forum.

Also, the traditional ruler of Akugbene Mein Kingdom, Bomadi council, HRM S.P. Luke-Kalanama VIII, said:  “We feel very bad about this development and call on the governor to check the ugly trend.”