Customary court president, APC chieftain kidnapped


*As Police arrest 13 over kidnap of Benue Commissioner 

THE President of Igueben Area Customary Court in Edo State, Mrs. Precious Aigbonoga, and a former member of the state House of Assembly, Festus Edughele, were yesterday, abducted at different locations in the state.

This came as  Benue State Police Command arrested 13 suspects over alleged complicity in the kidnap of the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ekpe Ogbu, last December. 

Mrs Precious Aigbonoga was reportedly kidnapped in Ugoneki, yesterday, on her way to court in the Igueben Local Government Area of the State.

 A statement by the Publicity Secretary,  Benin Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Festus Usiobaifo, said the NBA was working closely with the Edo State Police Command to ensure she regains her freedom from the kidnappers.

 The statement read: “The President of Igueben Area Customary Court,  Mrs Precious Aigbonoga, was kidnapped,  Monday morning, around Ugoneki axis, on her way to court in Igueben Local Government Area, Edo State.

“She is the wife of our colleague, Mr Afebu Aigbonoga, PDP candidate,  Etsako West Constituency .1

“The Chairman of the Lion Bar,  Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie, is deeply saddened by this news and condemns in strong terms the worrisome insensitivity of these bandits in kidnapping Mrs Precious Aigbonoga,  an easygoing, gentle, and hardworking judicial officer. 

 “The executive of NBA is in close touch with the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara. By the grace of God Almighty, she shall be rescued unhurt, and the bandits brought to book."

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted said he was yet to get the details of the incident.

...Gunmen kidnap APC’s PCC LG coordinator in Edo 

Also yesterday, the coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Festus Edughele, was kidnapped by gunmen at Ubiaja.

 Edughele, who was a member of the state House of Assembly, was said to be travelling from Benin to board a plane to Abuja when he was abducted by the gunmen, who took him into the bush.

  A former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, who confirmed the incident, said his former colleague intended to board the now-suspended train service from Ubiaja to Abuja.

  He said: “He was kidnapped this morning (Monday) in Ubiaja on his way from Orhionmwon to Benin. He had intended to take the train for Ubiaja but he could not do so since the train services have been suspended.

  “The family is aware of his kidnap, the police division in that area has been informed and we hope action will be taken to rescue him.”


Police arrest 13 over kidnap of Benue Commissioner 

Meanwhile, 13 suspects have been arrested by the Benue State Police Command for alleged complicity in the kidnap of the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ekpe Ogbu, last December. 

The arrest of the suspects was disclosed, yesterday, in Makurdi by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, Catherine Anene. 

Anene said the arrest of the suspects followed an order by the Police Commissioner, Wale Abass, for the deployment of tactical teams to the southern part of the state to tackle the kidnap gangs and syndicates operating in the area. 

She said: “As a result of this deployment, men of Operation Zenda JTF trailed and arrested the following persons in connection with the case of kidnap that happened on December 4, 2022, involving the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Ekpe Ogbu and other kidnap incidents reported in the area. 

“Those arrested include one Mohammed Usman Omachoko, who specialises in preparing protection charms for kidnappers; David Ejembi, Aondongu Akighir aka ‘Too Proud’ and Teryima Peter were also arrested while they were on their way to purchase guns for the group. 

“Further investigation led to the arrest of nine other gang members. Two locally made Baretta pistols loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from them. The suspect confessed to the crime.”

Culled from Vanguard

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