Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, has on Saturday night been reportedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
According to ThePunch, Okungbowa was on his way to Benin, Edo State capital after attending a social event organised by a politician in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
An official in the Edo State Government House, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.
The source said;
He was kidnapped on his way back to Benin City after attending an event in Oza. His driver was killed. It is very sad.
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”.
A driver attached to him, was said to have been shot dead by the hoodlums during the incident which occurred on Saturday outside Benin.
A source within the security, who confirmed the incident, said details of Okungbowa’s abduction is sketchy, adding;
But, it happened outside Benin. We are trying to get across to them.
The Head of Service was said to have been whisked away to an unknown destination at gunpoint by the gunmen.
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.
Okungbowa was appointed head of service by Governor Godwin Obaseki in May 2020.
