Gunmen abduct IPMAN chair in Edo, kill driver, injure security aides

Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State chapter, Alhaji Abdul-Hamid Egele, has been abducted by gunmen at his residence in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Egele popularly known as (Baba Petrol) was abducted on Monday evening while his driver was killed in the process.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo Command, SP Bello Kontongs, said that the state command was yet to get report of the incident.

“The command is not aware. I will find out from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jattu,” Kontongs said.

However, an eyewitness said that the incident happened at about 7p.m. on Monday.

The eyewitness said that the business man was returning home after the day’s business only to be accosted by gunmen.

“The gunmen ambushed the IPMAN chairman with two vehicles without plate number and fired at his jeep and killing his driver.

“The IPMAN chairman was later taken away after the security attached to him were overpowered by the gunmen who injured the security operatives,” the eye witness said.

President, Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), Abdul Mahmud, gave an insight into how the IPMAN chairman was abducted: “Last night at about 1845 hours Nigerian time, my brother in-law, Alhaji Abdulhamid Baba-saliu, Chairman, IPMAN, Edo State and Chairman, Jattu Union, was violently accosted by armed men at the gates of his country home in Jattu, Etsako West LGA, Edo State.

“One of his drivers was instantly shot and killed. The other driver and his personal security details were grievously injured in the attack. My brother in-law was taken away by the kidnappers. No contact, or random demand, has been made as yet.

“The dastardly attack on a private citizen in the precinct of his home and subsequent abduction not only highlight the growing insecurity and criminality in our country, but the danger of living and working in a country that is now lost in the anthropocene of violence, banditry, kidnapping and Yahoo-ritual killings that defines and shapes its existence. What is sad, if not saddest, in all of this is that ordinary citizens have become victims of our new age of the anthropocene that is dominated by gun-toting young men, criminal gangs and marauders.

“These are difficult and trying times for us. While we continue to pray for his safe return, I appeal to his abductors and keepers to release him unharmed to his family and community, Jattu, Uzairue, that he has given much love as a father and respected community leader. Please, I ask that you keep him in your prayers. May the soul of his departed staff rest in peace and may God’s power of healing be upon those who were grievously injured during the attack.”

TheStar