The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two of its officers attached to the Chief Medical Director of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sylvanus Okogbeni. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the incident happened at the Ramat Park in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state on Monday while the CMD was returning to Benin.

 

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, said the policemen were killed by gunmen, who also abducted the CMD. It was gathered that two other persons in the convoy of the CMD, whose identities had yet to be ascertained, were also shot dead. Nwabuzor said investigation into the incident had commenced.

 

The Chairman, Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria, ISTH branch, Mr Emmanuel Igiechi, expressed sadness over the security challenges in the area. Igiechi stated that Okogbeni’s abduction was an indication that the movements of members of staff of the hospital were being monitored.

 

He said, “This tells us how serious the security situation has become. We are indeed in a very difficult and dangerous situation. “Security agencies should strengthen their presence in Irrua and its environs as abduction and kidnapping have become rampant in this area.”