Kidnappers Seize APC Chieftain in Edo, As Police Intensifies Search for Ozekhome

Just as the Men of the Edo State Police Command intensified efforts to effect the release of kidnapped human rights’ activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Mike Ozekhome who was abducted with his driver on Friday,  the whereabouts of a chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Mr Athanasius Ugbome, is yet unknown.


There were indications that Ugbome might have been abducted by the same set of suspected kidnappers who abducted Chief Ozekhome who was on his way to his village.

Meanwhile, Our correspondent learnt that Ugbome’s car was few minutes ahead of that conveying Chief Ozekhome on the Benin- Auchi road. The SAN was abducted at Ehor after a gun duel between policemen who came to rescue him and the suspected kidnappers. Four brave policemen died in the shootout that followed, while most of the armed men escaped with bullet wounds.

The Afenmai Youth Coalition (AYC), where Ozekhome hails from, expressed regret that Chief Ozekhome was kidnapped while on his way to Afenmai land despite the fact that he “has struggled over the years for good governance, equality, justice, and accountability in governance. He has fought for the poor and has fought for the rich. He has defended the defenceless and has offered pro bono  legal services to the disadvantaged in society”.

While commending the bravery exhibited by the police officers that lost their lives, the Afenmai youths expressed their “profound condolences to the families of the four gallant policemen who fought to stop the abduction but lost their lives in the process. May the Almighty God grant them eternal rest. We call on the federal government to immortalise them as well as take over the educational and general upkeep of their as an incentive to brave security men and women whose lives are on the line daily for the rest of us”.

“We therefore call on the security agencies to do all within their powers to immediately free Chief Ozekhome from his abductors and reunite him with his family, friends, and his primary constituency – the downtrodden. On our part, we have directed our security committee to assist the security agencies in any way by immediately mobilising Afenmai youths to liaise and collaborate with them to ensure that Chief Ozekhome is released unhurt. We appeal to the abductors to please free him now. An injury to one is an injury to all,” the youths said.