The lawmaker representing Igueben Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Inegbeboh Eugene, has countered claims by operatives of the State Police Command and other civilian security agencies that they played critical role in the safe rescue of the Onogie of Udo-Eguare kingdom in the Igueben Local Government Area, Friday Ehizojie, from his abductors.
The Daily Crucible reports that the traditional ruler and five others were abducted by some gunmen on Sunday, February 3, 2025, while riding on a motorcycle along a lonely way leading to the community.
However, days after his freedom from the kidnappers, the state police command claimed that its operatives rescued the monarch unhurt, and thankef vigilantes, hunters and other well-meaning residents of the state for their support.
Similarly, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, also took turn to claim that his men rescued the traditional ruler.
But speaking on the floor of the assembly on Monday, Eugene said neither the police nor the state security corps rescued the monarch as separately claimed by the two agencies.
The lawmaker explained that the community contributed money and paid ransom for the release of their monarch.
He, however, thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response and the logistic support provided for the security agencies while the trying period lasted.
He said, “Mr Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.
“The information was for them to see what they could do, but at the end of the day, I want to tell you that the security agencies that I informed were playing hide and seek as if they were doing something, but doing nothing.
“At the end of the day, none of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release. Some people even went to social media to claim that they were the ones that rescued him.
“How do you rescue a person from a kidnappers’ den without the culprit being apprehended? Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home? If they know the kidnappers, they should show us.
“Mr Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought our king back home. So, Mr Speaker, nobody should claim the glory that they rescued him. It is wrong.”
He, however, urged the Speaker of the House to invite the new Commander of the State Security Corps to brief the House on what the outfit is doing to address the security challenges in the state.
