Gunmen kill man, abduct wife, sister-in-law in Edo

The police command in Edo says gunmen have killed one Friday Pius, abducted his pregnant wife and her sister in the Uluoke community, Uzairue, Etsako west LGA of the state.

Moses Yamu, police spokesperson, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen invaded Pius’ residence at about 2am on Monday, shot him dead, and left behind his three children.

Yamu noted that police operatives are working with local vigilantes and hunters to ensure the kidnapped victims are rescued and the perpetrators brought to book.

“The command is aware. Necessary deployments have been made in that regard. Our men have sustained bush combing and rescue operations with a view to rescuing the victims,” he said.

Following the incident, some women from the community staged a protest, demanding urgent intervention from the government to reduce insecurity in the state.

However, the police spokesperson said the command has deployed operatives to restore calm in the area.

There has been an uptick in attacks across the country in recent times.

On March 16, 16 hunters of northern extraction travelling from Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, were reportedly attacked and killed by members of a local vigilante group in the state.

The travellers were assaulted and lynched after some vigilante members accused them of being kidnappers, but 10 were rescued, and two injured ones were taken to the hospital for treatment.