By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
A woman identified as Francisca Okhiria, the wife of the managing director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria was abducted by suspected gunmen in Benin, Edo State on Wednesday.
The
gunmen, who were in police uniform was said to have trailed her from the
airport and kidnapped her on the way to her house.
Our reporter learnt that the gunmen while escaping with the victim shot a
soldier, who was standing by the road side.
When contacted, the state’s Police spokesperson, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, who
confirmed the incident, said an Army Sergeant attached to the woman was also
shot and has been taken to the military hospital for medical attention.
DSP Nwabuzor said the woman was kidnapped at Irhirhi along NNPC filling station
in Oredo local government. “It is confirmed that she was kidnapped and the
police recovered the vehicle; a Land Cruiser Prado jeep when the incident took
place.
“The Army sergeant shot by the hoodlums was with her as a security personnel and eventually taken to the military hospital by the police. The gunmen came in a Toyota Camry,” he said.
He noted that investigation into the incident has commenced.
When our correspondent called the telephone number of the Managing Director yesterday evening, one of his aides picked the phone, saying his boss is not available.
When asked to confirm the incident, the aide said: “We have no comment for now.”
