Gunmen abduct APC ward chairman in Edo

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ugu ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Godwin Aigbogun, has been abducted by gunmen.

He was reportedly seized on his way from his farm on Monday evening.

A chieftain of the APC in Ugu, who declined to be identified, said he was informed by political associates.

“I was informed that the APC chairman in Ugu Ward 9 of Orhionmwon council was kidnapped on Monday evening while returning from his farm in our village, Ologbo-nugu, by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The scene of crime is under the Iguelaba Police Division close to both Urhonigbe and Ugo Police Divisions,” he said.

The state Police Command, in a statement, yesterday, by the deputy spokesperson, Jennifer Iwegbu, confirmed the abduction of the APC ward chairman.

“The Edo State Police Command, on Monday, at about 20:52hrs received a complaint from one Godwin Erhahon ‘M’ of Ologbo-unu village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, that his brother, One Godwin Aigbogun ‘M’ of same village was suspected to have been kidnapped and whisked into the bush by hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers.

“On receipt of the information, a team of operatives from the command’s crack team, Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit immediately swung into action, mobilised to the scene and embarked on aggressive bush combing with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt and possible arrest or decimation of the suspected kidnappers.

“While the operatives are establishing the location of the kidnappers, the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, urged the public to remain calm so that police efforts to rescue the victim and possible arrest of the kidnappers would not be jeopardised,” he said in the statement.