The traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare, His Royal Highness Friday Ehizojie, the Onojie, has been kidnapped in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
Reports indicate he was abducted in a forest area between Ubiaja, near the rest house junction, and Udo community.
Gunmen ambushed him, shooting an Okada rider dead before kidnapping the traditional ruler.
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Sources say that five other individuals were also kidnapped alongside the Onojie, though one reportedly managed to escape.
Edo State Police spokesperson Moses Yamu confirmed the incident, stating that the police received a report of the kidnapping, which included the Onogie of Udo-Eguare and a 21-year-old man.
The two were traveling on a motorcycle along a remote path when they were ambushed. The Okada rider was killed, and the Onojie was taken.
Yamu added that the state’s police commissioner, Betty Otimenyin, had ordered immediate action, deploying tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force, to the area to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Area Commander is personally overseeing the operation as directed by the Commissioner of Police.