Gunmen Attack  ADC Chairman’s Residence, Escape With Two SUVs, Cash

by MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Suspected robbers raided the residence of Edo State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Kennedy Odion in Benin City early Sunday, escaping with two Toyota Highlander SUVs, N500,000 cash, four mobile phones and other valuables.

It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the residence, off Winners Road, Uhie, Benin, at about 3:00 a.m., before fleeing with the stolen items.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued late Sunday by the Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem.

She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, visited the scene and ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The case, she added, had been taken over by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while detectives had processed the scene and commenced investigations.

In a separate security operation, the command spokesperson said police and other security agencies had rescued a 66-year-old kidnapping victim, Mr. Obareki Emmanuel, from his abductors in Ibeakuma Forest.

Mr. Emmanuel was abducted alongside his wife, who was reportedly rescued unhurt on September 4. Security operatives sustained intelligence-led operations to track the kidnappers.

ASP Ikoedem said the operation resulted in the rescue of the victim at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, when a joint team comprising police officers, soldiers, Edo State Security Corps, ESSC personnel, members of the 82 Mobile Police Force and vigilantes moved into the forest.

The victim was rescued unhurt, while the ransom money was recovered.

She said the kidnappers engaged the security team in a gun battle before fleeing into the forest with gunshot wounds.

The bush-combing operation remained ongoing as security forces intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing suspects, she said.

The command assured residents that it would continue to deploy intelligence-led and collaborative policing to protect lives and property and bring criminal elements to justice.