The monarch and five others were kidnapped on Sunday, February 3, 2025, by gunmen along a remote path in Igueben Local Government Area.
A lawmaker in Edo State has exposed alleged falsehood by security agencies, while revealing that the police and the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) did not rescue the abducted traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom, HRH Friday Ehizojie, but that a ransom was paid for his release.
Hon. Inegbeboh Eugene, representing Igueben Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, made this revelation on Monday while addressing lawmakers.
He debunked statements made by both the Edo State Police Command and the ESSC, who had taken credit for rescuing the monarch after his abduction.
The monarch and five others were kidnapped on Sunday, February 3, 2025, by gunmen along a remote path in Igueben Local Government Area.
However, four days later, the Edo State Police Command announced that its operatives had successfully rescued the traditional ruler unhurt, while thanking local vigilantes and hunters for their support.
Meanwhile, two days after the police’s announcement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, retired Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, also claimed that his officers had combed the forest and secured the king’s release before handing him over to the police for further debriefing.
However, Hon. Eugene refuted these claims, stating that the community had to raise money to pay ransom to the kidnappers.
Speaking on the floor of the State House of Assembly, Eugene criticised the security agencies for their alleged inaction during the crisis.
“Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies about the abduction of our traditional ruler. But at the end of the day, they were only pretending to act, while doing nothing.”
“None of them knew how the monarch came back home, yet they are now claiming credit, posing for pictures, and making social media posts about a so-called rescue. If they actually rescued him, where are the kidnappers?”
Eugene boldly stated that despite the authorities’ refusal to acknowledge it, the traditional ruler’s freedom was secured only after the community raised the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
While expressing gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift intervention and logistical support to security agencies, Eugene urged the Speaker of the House to summon the ESSC Commander, Friday Ibadin, to clarify the security outfit’s efforts in combating crime in Edo State.
