by Ebenezer Adurokiya,
Abducted Delta monarch, Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Orhifi Orovwagbarha Agbarha-Ide Ememoh II, has regained freedom.
TribuneOnline gathered that the monarch was rescued about 3:12a.m on Thursday.
The royal father was abducted by unknown gunmen on Wednesday along the Ughelli/Asaba Expressway near Ossissa community in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area while on his way to Asaba for a security meeting.
But in less than 24 hours, operatives of the Delta State Police Command led by CP Zanna Ibrahim, came to his rescue.
Scores of police operatives and about 30 local vigilance groups were engaged in the combing of Ossissa forest, where the monarch was rescued.
The state commissioner of Police, Ibrahim, confirmed the development to journalists.
According to him, the monarch is now in safe hands in Asaba.
Meanwhile, CP Ibrahim, who led the rescue operation, disclosed to journalists that the Urhobo traditional ruler was abducted by Fulani herdsmen because of negligence of his driver.
“The monarch was abducted by herdsmen.
They are very conversant with the bush even more than the indigenes.
Our men sighted the movement of the hoodlums through a torchlight and we shot into the air which they responded.
They engaged us (police) in exchange of gunfire and left behind the monarch.
There was laxity on the part of the driver who sighted the kidnappers robbing other vehicles but refused to reverse the car for safety.
We have learnt our lessons from the kidnapped of the monarch.
The lesson is that we all need to be alert and vigilant,” he warned.
He however said no arrest was made during the operation.