Terror gripped Odo-Oriya community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State late Saturday night after gunmen stormed the palace and abducted the traditional ruler, Oba Adeniyi Adelana, 60. Residents say the attackers invaded the area, overpowered palace guards, and took the monarch away under the cover of darkness.
The incident has thrown the agrarian community into fear and confusion. Odo-Oriya, a quiet settlement known for farming and communal life, has rarely witnessed such a high-profile attack. Family members and chiefs are now waiting for contact from the abductors while traditional rites are being observed for the safety of the king.
Security agencies including the police and Amotekun Corps have launched a manhunt and cordoned off major routes leading out of Owo LGA. Patrols have been intensified around palaces and rural settlements, as authorities work to track the kidnappers and secure the monarch’s safe release. No group has claimed responsibility yet.
The Ondo State Government condemned the abduction and described it as an attack on culture, tradition, and peace. Officials promised to deploy additional resources to protect traditional institutions, which often serve as first responders and mediators in rural areas. They also urged residents to provide useful information that can aid rescue efforts.
Community leaders appealed for calm and unity, warning against reprisals that could escalate tensions. They stressed that the kidnapping of a traditional ruler affects the entire social fabric — from dispute resolution to cultural festivals — and called on both state and federal authorities to act swiftly.
As search operations continue, prayers and vigils are being held across Owo for Oba Adelana’s safe return. The abduction is another reminder of how insecurity has reached palaces and community heads who once represented safety for their people. For Odo-Oriya, the hope now rests on swift action, intelligence, and the safe homecoming of their king.
