Armed men have fatally shot a traditional ruler, Segun Aremu, and abducted his wife along with another person in south-western Nigeria.
The attackers raided the palace of the retired army general and monarch, known as the Olukoro of Koro, on Thursday night.
The motive behind the attack and whether a ransom is being demanded remain unclear.
This incident follows recent calls for a state of emergency by civil society groups, with over 1,800 abductions reported since President Bola Tinubu assumed office last May.
Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence suggests the actual number may exceed 4,000 abductions during that period.
Despite legal prohibitions against ransom payments, victims often resort to payment due to distrust in authorities.
Condemning the killing of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara state, as “reckless, shocking, and abominable”, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has vowed that the authorities would catch those responsible.
According to police, a manhunt is underway. Additionally, they have assured the neighborhood that a police outpost will be established.
There are hundreds of traditional rulers in Nigeria who are well-respected members of the community despite having no official position under the constitution. They are frequently asked to conduct cultural events and mediate conflicts among the local populace.