Tony Osauzo, Benin
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, have reportedly killed a police officer, DSP Godwin Oshiogbuwe, and abducted four others at Ubiaja, headquarters of Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The police officer was said to be travelling to Asaba, the capital of Delta State, when the vehicle he boarded was stopped by the gunmen on the road.
According to police sources, Godwin and his co-travellers were taken into the bush where he was killed because the kidnappers identified him to be a policeman. A pastor, who was travelling along the same route, was shot and is now receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Following the incident, the Edo State Police Command has reportedly mobilised its tactical team to forest reserves around Ewatto, Ubiaja and Okhuessan in a bid to rescue the victims.
It was learnt that the recovered body of the policeman has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.