Kidnapped Magistrate Reunite With Family As Security Operatives Rescue Two More Victims

By Simeon OSAJIE

The president of Igueben Customary Court, Mrs. Precious Aigbonoga who was abducted by Kidnappers recently had been rescued and reunited with her family.

The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, also disclosed that security operatives have rescued two more kidnap victims of the Igueben Train Station incident from their abductors, placing the number of rescued victims at nine.

Making this disclosure during a press briefing in his office in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Friday, the Commissioner who expressed sadness at the loss of DSP Adams Michael, a Police Officer who lost his life after the rescue mission, added that the Officer died of a natural cause, and not from bullet wounds.

He further disclosed that the late 34 years old DSP Adams Michael hails from Bayelsa State with two daughters, adding that the State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Commissioner for Police and heads of the other security agencies have visited his widow and other members of the family.

The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the State Government in the fight against kidnapping in the State, noting that the State will be made uncomfortable for kidnappers and other criminal elements by the security architecture it has put in place.

He thanked the Nigeria Police Force, Air Force, Army, members of the vigilante network and hunters, the media and other stakeholders who have so far performed exceptionally well in ensuring the security of Edo people.

Nehikhare however advised journalists to always verify information before dessemination to the public, as such sensitive issues need to be reported with utmost care and a high sense of professionalism.

In a related development, former member of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Udughele, who represented Esan South-East constituency has been released by his abductors.

The9JaTREND reports that the former lawmaker and a staff of the State Accountant-General office were at the early hours of Monday kidnapped by gunmen at Ugoneki village in Orhionmwon local government area of the state.

A source close to the family who announced the released of the lawmaker did not however give details on how he was released.

It was gathered that his abductors demanded a ransom of N200 million which they later reduced to between N100 million and N20 million.

But at the time of filing in this report, it could not be confirmed whether any ransom was paid by the family to effect his release.