Suspected herders kidnap son of ex-cop, other in Edo

Kidnappers suspected to be herders, on Thursday, kidnapped one Benard Omafuaire, son of a former police officer, Chief James Omafuaire, and another person on their way from Ugbokuli village to Ekiadolor in the Ovia North East Area of Edo State.

The kidnappers, said to be about five in number and armed with guns, laid an ambush on the vehicle which was carrying palm produce when the incident happened, and the driver was said to have escaped into the bush.

The older Omafuaire, late Thursday, said his son had gone to harvest the ripe kernels from his farm and he and another person were kidnapped by the suspected herders.

He said, “The incident happened on Thursday afternoon. I have a palm tree farm in that area and my son went there to harvest the ripe kernels. He loaded the harvested palms into the truck while he entered a motorbike riding behind the truck.

The driver sighted the armed men ahead of him and he jumped out of the truck and ran into the bush. My son and the bike rider were not aware of what was happening ahead and they ran into the kidnappers who took them away.

“I have been trying my son’s line, but it is not going through and nobody has contacted me. I called the Edo State Police control room and they told me to make a formal report at Ekiadolor Police Station. My daughter-in-law made an official report there. I pray and hope that they should not be hurt.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted, said he was expecting a detailed briefing from the men in the area.