16th September, 2012
JETHRO IBILEKE, Benin
Unidentified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers Saturday night in Benin City, abducted Kelly Odaro, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu.
Odaro was said to have left the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)’s Press Centre located along Reservation Road, GRA, for his house in the outskirts of Benin in the Ikpoba Hill axis of the town. He was almost home when he was abducted between the hours of 8 pm and 9 pm by two gunmen who trailed on a motorcycle.
According to his wife, nothing was heard about him from Saturday night until about 6 am when his abductors contacted the family and allowed him to speak to his wife. “Normally, when he is closIe to the house, he will call me so that we can to open the gate for him. But, I was surprised when people in our street came to tell me that my husband has been kidnapped very close to our house by unknown gunmen.
“The doors of his car were opened and the ignition key was still there. Then the helmet the bike men used were by the car while my husband’s shoe was also on the ground by the car, but they went away with his phone,” Mrs. Odaro said. The kidnappers are demanding a N20 million ransom to secure his release. Edo State Police image maker, Anthony Airhuoyo, confirmed the incident and that the police police have swung into action.
Kelly Odaro, a lecturer in the Mass Communication Department of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, was appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor at the onset of the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.