…say N10m already paid by family was for victim’s feeding
The abductors of the younger brother of the Minister of State for Health, Andy Ehanire, have demanded a ransom of N150million to set him free from captivity, The Point has learnt.
A close family source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed to our correspondent that N10million had already been collected by the kidnappers, who later turned round to inform the family that the money was only for the feeding of their victim.
He said all efforts made so far by the family to secure Andy Ehanire’s release by the kidnappers had proved abortive.
The victim, who is the managing director of Ogba Zoological Park and a younger sibling of both the minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and Senator Daisy Danjuma, was kidnapped two weeks ago at the park by some unidentified gunmen.
During the incident at the park, located along Upper Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State, three policemen on guard were killed by the gunmen.
Meanwhile, owing to recent happenings in Benin, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in the 2016 election, Chief Blessing Agbomhere, has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to check the insecurity now ravaging the state.
Agbomhere said the once peaceful state had been reduced to a den of kidnappers.
He said, “The spate of insecurity in Edo State has got to an alarming proportion and the most dangerous bend, and this has necessitated a call for a SWOT analysis of the state’s security approach. One of the fundamental duties of the state is to protect the lives and property of her citizens. Any society without security of life and property is an anathema to investments and subsequent economic development that will attract growth and benefits to her people.
“The rate and spate of kidnapping in Edo State is condemnable. It is a disgrace and an unprintable dent on the national identity of every Edo citizen, home and abroad. As some states in Nigeria are enjoying peace and serenity, Edo is experiencing a kidnapping spree and boom. Osayomore Joseph is kidnapped today, Ehanire and Father Adorolo were kidnapped ‘yesterday’, and we don’t know the person that may be kidnapped tomorrow. Is this how we will continue to live? Where is the freedom to life and of free movement as guaranteed by the constitution of our country?”
“I urge Edo State Government to deploy all security agencies and strategies, as a matter of utmost urgency and emergency, to curb the incumbency of insecurity that is fast destroying the socio-economic life of our people. And by doing this, the government will be carrying out its constitutional duty while also fulfilling its campaign promises,” he added.
While the police have yet to rescue Ehanire from his abductors, a popular Benin musician, Mr. Joseph Osayomore, was kidnapped in his house in the Ekenwan area of Benin City.
Efforts to speak with the police for updates on the kidnap cases proved abortive.
Calls made to the phone of the state Police Public Relations Officer were not answered.
