Delta commissioner kidnapped, police orderly killed

Kidnappers in Delta State yesterday abducted the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Hope Eghagha, killing his orderly, a police sergeant, while his driver sustained injuries. The bandits were said to have trailed Professor Eghagha in his official car from Warri and intercepted him at Owa-Ekei Junction in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the kidnappers opened fire immediately on the commissioner’s car and killed his police orderly, before putting him in their Toyota Camry car and zooming off to unknown destination. Doctors were said to be battling to save the life of the driver at an undisclosed hospital as at the time of filing this report. Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Charles Muka who confirmed the abduction of Professor Eghagha, said the police were already on top of the situation.

Muka stated that the command had in its custody, 27 restive youths in Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state for allegedly unleashing violence against the Ovie (King) and people in the community. Besides, Muka said the youths were being held for allegedly barricading the road on September 26 against the Deputy Governor of the state, Professor Amos Utuama who was visiting the area to assess the damage caused by flooding.

The police image maker described the alleged action of the youth as a “threat to security and an affront to the government and people of Delta State,” adding that the command could not “fold its arms and watch them perpetuate such violence.” He said the police have declared wanted, one Henry Etuwede who was illegally installed as Ovie of the Uzere Kingdom, when the incumbent was still on the throne.

Also on the wanted list of the police, according to the spokesman, were the President-General of the community, Emiakpor Owhe and the chairman of the community association, Mr. Believe Odhugo for their alleged role in the illegal installation. Muka advised the fugitives to report themselves to area command in Ughelli and called on the people to go about their lawful duties as the police have intensified security in the area, even as he advised parents to warn their wards against being used to cause mayhem.