Kidnapped council vice-chairman escapes

JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin

Southern Nigeria’s state of Edo is fast gaining notoriety as kidnappers’ den, following the abduction of the Vice Chairman of Uhunmwode local government council, Walter Aiwekhoa in the early hours of Tuesday.

He however managed to escape from his abductors.

Aiwekhao’s kidnapping came less than 48 hours after two female teachers and a medical doctor were abducted at the weekend.

The teachers were abducted in Benin City on Sunday, with three children of one of the teachers. The medical doctor attached to Irrua Specialist Hospital, was also kidnapped on his way from work last week.

Last week, three female teachers who spent 14 days in the kidnappers’ den, were released by their captors after receiving N5 million ransom.

Mr. Aiwekhao who was allegedly kidnapped at Ogan village, on his way to work, beat the kidnappers to their trick, as he escaped unhurt a few hours after his abduction.

The recent upsurge in cases of kidnapping in the state might not be unconnected with the ban on the use of motorcycle for commercial transportation, some analysts said.

According to the police commissioner in the state, Foluso Adebanjo, the ban would likely trigger an upsurge in criminal activities.

Mr Osaro Idahosa, Chief Press Secretary to Aiwekhao confirmed that his
boss escaped from his abductors and reported himself at Obiaroko police station, headquarters of Ukwani local government area of Delta state.

He explained that the Vice chairman was earlier allegedly abducted by
unidentified gunmen at Ogan, near Abudu, on his way to Ehor, the
administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode LGA.