BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
A middle-aged man alleged to be a member of seven-man gang, was on Monday killed in Igben river during a rescue operation of a Pastor abducted in his farm at Urhobo Camp of Iguelaiho Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The kidnapping victim, Pastor Solomon Ativiel was being taken away by his captors in an operational speedboat when they met a larger boat strategically placed across the Igben waterway by gallant youths of Igben Community to intercept the rampaging abductors.
It was further gathered that upon encountering the blockade, the gang opened fire triggering a fierce gun duel between the gang and the brave community members.
Amidst the chaos, it was learnt, Pastor Solomon Ativiel was successfully rescued from the clutches of his captors. However, the confrontation resulted in the death of one gang member.
Two others sustained injuries and were promptly apprehended by the vigilant community youths. The injured suspects were later taken into custody by the police at Iguobazuwa, the administrative headquarters of Ovia South-West local government area.
The abduction occurred while Pastor Solomon was returning from his farm about 4pm on Monday.
His wife was said to have raised the alarm when he failed to return to his family in Urhobo Camp.
Commenting on the incident, Councillor representing the area, Umaza ward 3, Ovia South-west legislative Council, Hon. Ugborinrin Rotimi immediately directed his people to block Igben River as it is the only getaway waterway from the scene of abduction.
“My community, Igben vigilante and hunters groups immediately used a very big engine boat to cross the river and they were waiting.
“About 12am the kidnappers, seven of them, some with AK47 sighted the boat we used to cross the river, they started shooting at the engine boat and wanted to force their way through but their new engine boat hooked.
“The vigilante and hunters assisted us we brought their gang leader down, one Newman from Safarogbo in Siluko ward 4, we also arrested one Emma Usen ward and David Avoke from Iguelaiho 2. (Urhobo Camp).
“We are at Iguobazuwa police station right now with the suspects and the corpse of the kidnapper. I will soon be going back to meet my people who are searching the creek for other suspects who escaped. We have not experienced such attack in my community before”, Hon. Rotimi stated.
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command SP Chidi Nwabuzor confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it’s true, they will be transferred to the state police Command headquarters, tomorrow Wednesday”, SP Nwabuzor said.
