Speaking on the floor of the House of Assembly on Monday, Hon. Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene, the lawmaker representing the Igueben Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, revealed that members of the Udo-Eguare community paid ransom to the kidnappers for the release of their traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Friday Ehizojie.
The lawmaker did not reveal the amount of the ransom but urged the police and the State Security Corps (ESSC) not to take credit for the traditional ruler’s release, stating that they did not know how he was freed.
The traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare was abducted by gunmen on February 3, while he was on a motorcycle and was released three days after.
The Edo State Police Command had declared that its officers, along with hunters and vigilantes, had saved the monarch. The commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Mr. Friday Ibadin, stated two days after the police statement that the traditional ruler had been saved by the corps’ agents.
“Mr Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler. The information was for them to see what they could do, but I want to tell you that the security agencies were playing hide and seek as if they were doing something but did nothing.”
“How do you rescue a person from kidnappers’ den without the culprit being apprehended? Do they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home?
If they know the kidnappers they should show us.”
“Mr Speaker, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought back our king home. So, Mr Speaker, nobody should claim that glory that they rescued him. It is wrong,” the lawmaker said.
He urged the Speaker to invite Ibadin to brief the House on steps the outfit was taking to address the security challenges in the state.
He as well thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the swift response and logistics support for security agencies during the period.
