President of Igueben Area Customary Court, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Edo State, His Honour, Precious Aigbonoga has been rescued by the State Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
This information was contained in a statement by Festus Usiobaifo Esq., publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State.
The statement disclosed that in the process of rescuing the victim, there was an “exchange of heavy gunfire between the police and the kidnappers which led to the killing of one police officer.
“A source told the chairman and his team (Dream Team) that His Honour was rescued unhurt in the early hours of today, 12th day of January, 2023, following an attack launched against the kidnappers by Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad attached to Police Headquarters, Benin City.
The Customary Court president was reportedly kidnapped around Ugoneki axis, on her way to Court in Igueben Local Government Area of the state barely three days after the railway passengers’ kidnap.
Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch, Festus Usiobaifo, whilespeaking on the incident, said the chairman of the branch, Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie condemned “the worrisome insensitivity of these bandits in kidnapping Mrs Precious Aigbonoga; an easygoing, gentle, and hardworking judicial officer”, and also expressed his sadness over the incident.
In a related case, a former Edo State House of Assembly member, Festus Edughele, was kidnapped on Monday morning by suspected gunmen in Ubiaja while on his way from Orhionmwon to Benin City, the state capital.
Festus Edughele was said to be travelling to Benin to board a plane to Abuja when he was abducted by the gunmen who took him into the bush.
A former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, who confirmed the incident, said his former colleague intended to board the now suspended train service from Ubiaja to Abuja.
Ebea said, “He was kidnapped this morning in Ubiaja on his way from Orhionmwon to Benin. He had intended to take the train from Ubiaja but he could not do so since the train services had been suspended.
“The family is aware of his kidnap, the police division in that area has been informed and we hope action will be taken to rescue him,” he added.
