Relief has swept through the Ode-Oriya community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State following the release of its traditional ruler, Chief Adeniyi Adelana, the Oloriya (Baale) of Ode-Oriya Owo, who was abducted by gunmen from his residence.

The 60-year-old community leader was seized in a late-night raid by armed men who reportedly stormed his home and overpowered those present. In the chaos, his wife sustained gunshot injuries while allegedly attempting to resist the attackers, underscoring the brutality of the operation and the vulnerability of rural communities to organised criminal gangs.

Chief Adelana spent several days in captivity before regaining his freedom. Details of the negotiations that led to his release remain sketchy, but residents say the period of his abduction plunged the community into fear and uncertainty, with many suspending social and economic activities while they awaited news of their monarch.

News of his release first filtered through a community announcement that quickly circulated on social media, bearing the message: “Good News! Our Royal Father Has Been Released.” The statement triggered jubilation among residents, who had been holding prayer sessions and community meetings to press for his safe return.

The traditional ruler is said to be receiving medical attention at an undisclosed health facility in Owo. Community sources indicate that he is undergoing checks and treatment for the physical and psychological impact of his ordeal, while his injured wife is also reported to be under medical care.

However, the community’s joy has been tempered by fresh anxiety over the fate of the individual who allegedly delivered the ransom to the kidnappers. According to a community bulletin, the courier who was sent to facilitate Chief Adelana’s release has not returned, fuelling fears that he may have been detained by the abductors after completing the assignment.

Residents are now calling on security agencies to intensify efforts, not only to clarify what happened to the ransom bearer, but also to track down the gang responsible for the abduction. As at the time of this report, the Ondo State Police Command had not issued any formal statement on the alleged detention of the courier or the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s release.