Posted by By Tony Osauzo, Benin on
Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Joseph Atohengbe, was in the early hours of Thursday abducted from his No. 30 Faith Drive, G.R.A. Benin home by unknown gunmen. At press time on Thursday, whereabouts of the commissioner was unknown.
Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Joseph Atohengbe, was in the early hours of Thursday abducted from his No. 30 Faith Drive, G.R.A. Benin home by unknown gunmen. At press time on Thursday, whereabouts of the commissioner was unknown.
According to Mr. Atohengbe's cook, Mr. Francis Okoh, and his security guard, Sarki Danlami, about five people jumped over the fence to gain access to the premises.
The duo narrated to journalists on Thursday, that when they asked the intruders what they wanted, they refused to reply, adding that they (the cook and security guard) quickly switched on the Rapid Response Security Alarm device to attract security attention, but the system failed to function.
The commissioner's guard said that later, the five men tied him and the cook and collected the gate keys with which they gained entry to the compound.
He said about 15 more men later joined the earlier five and forced the cook to direct them to where the commissioner was. On getting there, they broke the protectors and the doors and forced their way in and went straight into the commissioner's room where they asked him to change the shirts he was putting on.
Thereafter, the assailants reportedly forced the commissioner into his Toyota Carina marked ED 03 - A32 with which they drove him away after they ransacked the house.
A telephone call put through to Mr. Atohengbe by a journalist on his mobile line was answered by someone, who said: 'I am out of town, I will see you tomorrow."
A Government House source, who did not want his name in print, told Daily Sun that the police have swung into action to track down the commissioner's abductors even as the Edo State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Peter Ogboi, confirmed the incident.