The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the wife of Ubani Okuo, Chairman of the Igarra Youth Group, in Igarra, the administrative headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Nkereuwem Ikoedem, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered Divisional Police Officers in the area to work jointly to ensure the victim’s safe rescue.
According to the police, the incident was reported as a suspected kidnapping, prompting immediate deployment of coordinated security efforts across the local government.
A community source, who requested anonymity, said the woman was abducted on Tuesday night while returning home from her shop in Igarra town.
Following the incident, community leaders imposed a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and restricted night burial dances to between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. as part of measures to curb criminal activity.
Confirming the development, the paramount ruler of the Igarra/Akuku Clan, Oba Adeche Saiki, said the curfew was agreed upon by the local government chairman, security agencies, and traditional authorities.
He noted that criminal elements were suspected to be operating within the community and blending in with residents before carrying out attacks at night. The curfew, he said, will be enforced across the entire local government area.
Police authorities have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to locate and safely rescue the abducted woman, while urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
