One of the sons, Mr Saheed Oseni, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the family has resorted to prayers to get him protected and released soonest.

The traditional ruler was abducted in his Palace at Iba ‎on Saturday at about 8 p.m.

However, the wife and the others are recuperating in the hospital.

Saheed said that prayers became necessary since the kidnappers had not contacted any of the family members after more than 48 hours.‎According ‎to him, several religious groups, including traditional worshippers, Christians and Muslims were at the palace to offer prayers for the monarch’s release and safe return.

"We are praying and hopeful that the traditional ruler will be released and return home soonest since we have yet to hear anything from the abductors,’’ he said.

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Saheed confirmed that the monarch’s younger wife and two other persons shot ‎during the incident were recuperating at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

He said the whereabouts of the monarch was still unknown, adding that security operatives were searching for him.

Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, SP Dolapo Badamus, in a text message to NAN, said that "the police are on the trail of the suspects but no arrest has been made yet’’.