Traditional leaders and residents of the Okoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State celebrated on Wednesday as His Royal Highness, James Dada Ogunyanda, regained freedom 27 days after his abduction.
The monarch was reportedly abducted from his palace on May 15, 2025.
A video seen by THE WHISTLER on Facebook showed the moment he returned to his loved ones.
In the footage, the aged royal father was first carried on a motorcycle and later transferred into a parked Mercedes-Benz vehicle, while a group of men expressed gratitude in Yoruba language, saying: “Oluwa Seun, Oluwa Ẹṣé” (The Lord has done well, thank you, Lord).
The clip was shared by a digital creator identified as Omera Ugbede Opaluwa, who claimed that an undisclosed amount was paid to secure the monarch’s release.
Opaluwa told THE WHISTLER that the federal government played no active role in securing the monarch’s freedom.
He had captioned the video: “Royal Father abducted in Kogi regains Freedom after ransom was allegedly paid.
“Community members of Okoloke in celebrations as HRH James Dada Ogunyanda who was abducted on 15th May 2025 from his palace in Okoloke, Yagba West, Kogi state regained freedom after a huge ransom was allegedly paid.
“The government was said to be helpless in rescuing the first class chief since his abduction.”
He added that the family did not receive any police intervention, and that the victim is currently receiving medical treatment.
He said, “The amount was not disclosed by the family, there was no police intervention, and the victim was taken for treatment.”
In response to these claims, THE WHISTLER contacted the Kogi State Police Command to clarify the circumstances surrounding the abduction and eventual release.
When reached via telephone, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Williams, said he was unaware of the incident and the purported ransom payment.
He said, “I am not aware of this. I have not received this information from Okoloke, I need to confirm.”
He further requested the link to the viral video to assist in verifying the situation.
Williams later said he was in transit and would provide information upon reaching his destination.
But as of the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the government has provided additional information regarding the monarch’s release.
Details surrounding the negotiation process, the identities of the abductors, and the role of security agencies remain unclear.