Mohamed Garba
The traditional ruler of Dari, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Omanji, has been rescued by operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command, one week after he was abducted from his palace in Kokona Local Government Area.
The police confirmed the monarch’s rescue in a statement issued Tuesday in Lafia by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel. Omanji was abducted on May 28 by armed men who stormed his palace under the cover of darkness.
According to the police, the ruler was found unhurt around 11 p.m. on Monday, June 2, during a coordinated operation in the Panwasa Mountains, near Mada Station. The operation was carried out by the command’s Search and Rescue Team, following what authorities described as “sustained pressure.”
“He was immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention and has since been reunited with his family,” said Nansel.
While the identities of the abductors remain unknown, police say efforts are underway to track down the suspects, who fled during the rescue operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the public for their timely information and continued support. He also acknowledged the role played by sister security agencies and local vigilante groups, describing their collaboration as crucial to the successful mission.
The abduction and rescue of the Sangarin Dari highlight the growing security challenges faced by rural communities in Nasarawa and other parts of northern Nigeria, where traditional rulers have increasingly become targets for criminal elements.
