The Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, has died days after regaining his freedom from kidnappers in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.

One of his sons identified as Prince Olasunkanmi, confirmed the monarch’s death on Saturday.

“The news of the monarch’s death is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning,” Mr Olasunkanmi stated.

Peoples Gazette reported that Mr Moses was kidnapped on August 22 alongside two others when gunmen invaded his community.

The monarch later regained freedom five days later during what the security agencies described as a decisive operation in the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of the state.

Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the operation commenced following a report received at about 10:00 hours at the Oro Police Station from Mr Abdul, a vigilante, who disclosed that one of his men had sustained a gunshot injury to the hand while in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the DPO, Oro Police Station, led a combined team of Police operatives, military personnel and vigilantes to the reported location.

“On sighting the advancing security team, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire during which one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, forcing the remaining members of the gang to flee into the surrounding terrain”, Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said.