The Edo State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Emmanuel Agbale, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen after killing his orderly.

The abduction happened on Friday, April 17th, 2020 along Benin-Ekpoma Road by Oil Palm Estate in Edo State.

The commissioner travelling to Ekpoma, when armed men reportedly opened fire on his car.

Flavision gathered that the heavily-armed men suddenly emerged from the bush and shot directly at Agbale’s vehicle, thereby forcing the driver to stop.

The police orderly was killed on the spot while the commissioner was whisked away,

a source said.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Lawan Jimeta, while confirming the incident, said it was unfortunate.

however, Jimeta said that police operatives were already trailing the kidnappers in the forest, promising their arrest soon.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ambrose Alli University Chapter and the former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu, condemned Agbale’s abduction.

Odubu, while condemning the incident, lamented the rising wave of criminal activities in many parts of the state.

He recalled that some criminals were last week reported to have murdered some farmers in Odighi community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

The ex-deputy governor bemoaned that the incidents occurred at a time Edo people were battling coronavirus pandemic, calling for concerted efforts by security agencies and government to eradicate crime in the state.

He said,

I want to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services and the army to pay special attention to Edo State. The state government should invest more in protecting lives and property.

Odubu enjoined the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.

He added,

No efforts should be spared in getting the commissioner released from captivity as the people of the state are now in perpetual fear in the midst of insecurity.

The state must not pay lip service to security as the primary purpose of government is the security of lives and property. I condemn the incessant killings of farmers and other persons and the rising wave of kidnapping in our dear state.

ASUU Chairman, AAU Chapter, Dr. Monday Igbafen, in a statement on Saturday, April 18th, 2020 said the news of Agbale’s abduction shocked the union.

Our union decried the porous security situation in the country and urged the appropriate security agencies in the state to ensure his release unhurt without delay, while those involved should be fished out and prosecuted.

The union also expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family of the killed police orderly,

Igbafen added.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.