The Magaji Erubu in the Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State, Dr Zubair Folorunsho Erubu, has been kidnapped by gunmen.
He was abducted on his way to Afon, headquarters of Asa Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday night.
Dr Erubu was a personal physician to former Governor Bukola Saraki.
It was learnt that he ran into an ambush laid by the kidnappers in the late hours of the day.
Okasanmi Ajayi, the spokesman of the state police command, confirmed the development on Friday.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, has ordered a discrete investigation into the matter.
Okasanmi said a search-and-rescue operation and arrest of the kidnappers has also been launched by the command.
In his reaction, the head of Magajis and Alanguas in the Emirate, Alhaji Saliu Woru, condemned the criminals, describing the development as unfortunate.
He said although the state and federal governments were doing their best to check the menace of kidnapping, more effort is needed.
Woru advised the governments to engage traditional rulers across the country to assist in flushing the criminals out of their hideouts.