Gunmen

By Jethro Ibileke

A ward chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo, Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The victim was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road, at a bad spot around Sasaro. This spot had been notorious for violent kidnappings in the past.

It was gathered that Olowijoba was kidnapped with his children and the househelp whom he had gone to pick in Auchi to resume school today (Monday) in the vehicle which included Olowijoba.

However, they later abandoned the children and took them away.

Speaking to journalists in Benin through phone on Monday, a close family member who asked not to be named, disclosed that the kidnappers have opened negotiations with the family and are demanding ₦50 million as ransom.

Valentine Okasime Olowojoba is the Ward 1 Chairman of the Labour Party. He went to Auchi to pick his children, his children and wife went to Auchi for holidays, he went to bring his children to resume school on Monday.

“On their way back that Saturday, he was kidnapped, and it happened that day when the network in the area did not function at all till on Sunday.

“They were all initially being taken into the bush by the kidnappers, but they later left the house help and the children and went with him. They picked him up and abandoned his vehicle on the road.

“There was no network that Saturday, it was restored around noon on Sunday, and I learnt from his brother that as of Monday, they are asking for a ransom of ₦50 million.

“I also learnt that some other people were also kidnapped in the same area on Sunday,” he said.

The police have not confirmed the incident as calls to the State Police Command spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, could not be reached on the phone.