Unknown gunmen on Saturday reportedly kidnapped the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, along Oza Road, in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of the state.
Naija News reports that the gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, also reportedly killed Okungbowa’s driver.
It was gathered that the Head of Service was heading to Benin, the Edo State capital after attending a social event organized by a politician in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
The Head of Service was said to have been whisked away to an unknown destination at gunpoint by the gunmen.
An official in the Edo State Government House, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident to The Punch.
“He was kidnapped on his way back to Benin City after attending an event in Oza. His driver was killed. It is very sad,” the source said.
Another top civil servant, who is close to the kidnapped Head of Service, and worked in the Ministry of Justice where Okungbowa was promoted to the rank of HoS, said, “We just got the information. It is true.”
Efforts to confirm the incident from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, were not successful.
The Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, also did not pick calls to his telephone and he is yet to reply to a text message sent to him.
As at the time of filing this report, the abductors have not contacted any member of his family or made claim for payment of ransom.
