Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Emmanuel Omanji, the Sangarin Dari, a traditional ruler in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The monarch was forcibly taken from his private residence in Dari, near Garaku, the headquarters of Kokona LGA, between 11 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants arrived in large numbers and fired shots into the air to disperse people before whisking the traditional ruler away.

Dr. John W. Mamman, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Education who hails from the Dari community, confirmed the incident.

"The kidnappers stormed the palace and fired sporadically to scare people. They then took the king away," Dr. Mamman told reporters.

The abduction comes barely three months after Omanji was crowned Sangarin Dari by the college of selectors and formally appointed by the Nasarawa State Government.

Police Launch Rescue Operation

SP Ramhan Nansel, the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident and outlined measures being taken to rescue the monarch.

"I confirm that this incident happened yesterday. Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed has mobilised the anti-kidnapping unit, the military, and the vigilante to conduct a search-and-rescue operation aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators," Nansel stated.

The police spokesperson called on the public to provide any useful information that may assist the rescue operation, assuring them of strict confidentiality.

This incident adds to the growing concern about the security of traditional rulers in Nigeria, with several similar abductions reported across the country in recent years.

As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and there has been no demand for ransom.