The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed the abduction of three lawyers around the Ehor axis on Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Abuja road.
The NBA, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the victims – Fred Aburu, Israel Unurierume, and Eda Gbejule – were on their way from Warri, Delta State, to Sabongida Ora High Court with their driver, Kome Esike, when they were abducted.
It also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Edo State Police Command to rescue the lawyers unharmed and unscathed.
The association also urged other security agencies to do everything within their constitutional powers and duty to see to the safe return of the four victims.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has disclosed that three suspected kidnappers were killed on Wednesday morning around the Ehor axis on the Benin-Ekpoma-
Auchi-Abuja Expressway following a gun battle between the suspects and security operatives.
The command in a statement said that it received information from the vigilante network chairman, Irrua, early on Wednesday that a black Toyota Venza car with Reg. NO SKL 394 TD, coming from Benin to Ekpoma, was fired at from the bush by suspected hoodlums, and the yet-to-be-identified driver/occupants were suspected to have been kidnapped into the bush.
According to the police spokesperson, Bello Kontongs, the DPO of Ehor Division, CSP Benefa Benjamin swiftly mobilized and led combined teams of police, military, and local vigilantes on bush combing and about 1134hrs, ASP Obaro Samuel, attached to state Highway Patrol Ebute, together with the military sighted the armed hoodlums who immediately opened fire.
He explained that in the ensuing gun duel, the superior firepower of the team of operatives hit three of the hoodlums who were fatally injured and were rushed to Iruekpen General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
On searching them, the following items were recovered from the kidnappers: one AK-47 rifle with 14 live ammunition, one English Pump action gun with 18 live cartridges, one ATM card, two wristwatches, and cash of N1,500.
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