How 4 Policemen Were Killed Trying To Rescue Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Mike Ozekhome In Edo State

The prominent human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was on his way to Benin on Friday evening when his Toyota Prado jeep was ambushed by kidnappers at the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi motorway and he and his driver were subsequently taken away to an unknown destination.

Edo state Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo said, 

“Operatives of the command led by DPO Ehor Division responded swiftly to a distress call at about 3:30pm that unspecified number of armed men had blocked the Benin-Auchi road by Ehor axis. However, the hoodlums ambushed the patrol vehicle and opened fire on them, prompting an exchange of fire.

“At the end of the gun duel, the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds but not without their victim, who was later identified upon search on his abandoned vehicle as Ozekhome and his driver. Regrettably, the command lost four officers in the encounter. We salute their rare courage and bravery for they fought and died as heroes for the course of humanity.”

The CP continued, 

“Their death shall not be in vain. We remain undeterred in our fight against banditry.”

Policemen from Edo State Police Command have so far retrieved the lawyer’s abandoned Toyota Prado jeep and other personal effects inside the vehicle.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Saturday ordered the Edo State Commissioner of Police to launch a manhunt for his abductors.