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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Hostage takers have reportedly abducted five people from a health facility in Akoko-Edo, Edo State.
The abductees include a nurse at the health centre, Mrs Gladys Okomayin; a female secondary school student, Miss Tope Oriloye; a couple; and Mr Samuel Ilesanmi, who had rushed his son to the Makeke Health Centre, located in Umakeke community, for treatment.
The gunmen are said to have abandoned the nurse because she could not walk fast enough to keep pace with them in the bush.
National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People (MAAP), Mr Omowumi Bode Ekundayo, who broke the news, said Makeke hunters and vigilantes mobilised and combed the forest but found nothing.
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He disclosed that the kidnappers called to demand a N100 million ransom for the release of Miss Oriloye and Mr Ilesanmi.
“We have written, warned, and passed timely information to all security agencies and the tiers of government in Edo State earlier.
“Or is it not yet obvious that the worsening scourge will snowball into intractable catastrophes in future? Akoko Edo is surrounded… Is it not clear that Benue and Kwara States are fast descending to Edo State, their open gateway being the vast wilderness of Akoko Edo?” Omowumi queried.
Confirming the incident, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
