News
Ondo community in panic mode over demise of Olugbo of Ugbo
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Fear has gripped the Ugbo Kingdom in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State due to rumours about the death of the controversial oil magnate and founder of Obat Oil, Oba Frederick Enitiolorunda Akinruntan, Okoro Ajija 1, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom.
It was revealed that the 75-year-old monarch has been ill for some time, though this could not independently verify his demise at the time of this report.
“We heard that he was flown out of Nigeria last year ending because of his sickness. But maybe because he is king, they are trying to keep his death hush-hush,” one of the sources said.
“But people in his area are saying that he is dead but they decided to keep the news from the public.
“Since last November or December, nobody has heard from him up till now. We heard that they have performed some rituals in his kingdom, but it was on a lowkey. They are only saying he travelled out.”
“I heard that he has been very ill and that he has been afflicted for some time,” another source said.
Obateru Akinruntan is a prominent oil magnate and the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest privately owned oil companies.
Obateru Akinruntan is a significant figure in the oil industry and the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest privately-owned oil companies.
Born in 1950 into the royal family of Sir Frederick Adetolugbo in Ugbo, a riverine area in Ilaje, Obateru was the fourth of eight children and lost his father in 1964 at the age of 14.
In 2009, he was appointed king in line with the traditions of the Ugbo Kingdom.
In March 2014, Forbes estimated his net worth at $300 million, ranking him as the second richest king in Africa and the wealthiest in Nigeria.
The only African monarch wealthier than him at the time was Mohammed VI of Morocco.
On September 13, 2019, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, approved the formation of a new council and appointed Oba (Dr.) Fredrick Eniolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, Okoro Ajija I, CON, the Olugbo of Ugbo, as Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas for a two-year term.
SAHARA REPORTERS
Five alleged kidnappers have reportedly died after a fierce gun battle with operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team.
The suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital they were rushed to for medical attention.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed the development in a statement, stated that the incident occurred on 21st April 2025.
The police image maker disclosed that operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team, acting on intelligence relating to kidnapping in Ubuluku, Isseluku, Issele-Asagba, and environs by one Bello Abubakar and his gang members, stormed one of their hideouts in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra State.
SP Edafe pointed out that during the raid of the suspects hideout in the forest, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one hundred and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition.
He further said the investigation was extended to another of their hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Utulu, where the said Bello Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.
According to the police image maker, the suspected kidnappers attacked the policemen in a fierce gun battle, but the team, who were aware of the battle ahead, reciprocated in like manner.
SP Edafe added that the manhunt for other injured fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Some senior officials of the Kwara State Local Government Service Commission have been kidnapped by gunmen along the Omu-Aran/Ilorin Road.
The victims were abducted on Friday evening.
Those kidnapped are: the Head of the Legal Department of Oke-Ero Local Government, Elizabeth Arinde, and the Head of Personnel Management of the council, whose name could not be immediately confirmed.
It was gathered on Saturday night that the two senior administrators were among seven individuals kidnapped at Corner Eleyin along the Omu-Aran/Ilorin Expressway while returning to Ilorin, the state capital, for the weekend on Friday, April 25, 2025.
The incident occurred at about 5:45pm where five gunmen ambushed the two private vehicles before leading the passengers into the bush.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, on Saturday.
The statement added “The Kwara State Police Command confirms a kidnap incident reported at about 5:45 p.m. on Friday, 25th April 2025, at Eleyin village via Isanlu-Isin. It was reported that about five armed men blocked the highway, stopping two private vehicles, forcefully taking all occupants to an unknown location.
“Following the report, the command, in collaboration with the military and vigilantes, launched a swift operation, leading to the successful rescue of two victims, Ganiyu Ajayi and Kolawole Adeyemi.
“Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining five victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The command has intensified security measures across the area, including aggressive bush combing, strategic patrols, and intelligence-driven operations to prevent further occurrences”
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