On Monday, the President of Igueben Regional Customary Court, Mrs Precious Aigbonoga, was abducted by gunmen around Ugoneki axis on her way to the Court in Igueben Local Government Area (LGA) Edo.
The Chairman of the Lion Bar, Chief Nosa Edo-Osagie, in a statement by Mr. Festus Usiobaifo, the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, expressed sadness over the abduction.
Edo-Osagie, while condemning the act in a strong manner, expressed concern over the operation of bandits in the area and the kidnapping of Aigbonoga, who he described as a relaxed, gentle and hard-working judicial officer.
“Meanwhile, the Dream Team is in touch with the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara. By the grace of God Almighty, his majesty will be rescued without harm, and the bandits brought to book, Amen!,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the abductions took place on Saturday when 32 passengers were abducted as they were waiting to board a train from Igueben Station in Igueben LGA of the state to Warri in Delta, by suspected herdsmen.
NAN reports that the abducted court president is the wife of Mr. Afebu Aigbonoga, the PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Etsako West Constituency 1.
In a related development, a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Festus Edughele, was also abducted on Monday by suspected gunmen in Ubiaja, on the way from Orhionmwon LGA to Benin.
Former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, who confirmed the incident, said the former colleague was going 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 wanted to take a train to Ubiaja but could not because the train service was delayed.
“The family is aware of the abduction, the police division in the area has been informed and we hope that something can be done to save them,” he said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not comment on the alleged abduction, as he refused to answer all calls on his mobile phone.