Security forces have rescued the President of Igueben Area Customary Court, Mrs Precious Aigbonoga who was kidnapped on Monday.
The judge was abducted on Monday morning around Ugoneki axis, on her way to the court in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State
The judge was rescued after a fierce shootout between operatives a joint military-police rescue team and the kidnappers.
The Chairman of the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie, said that the judge sustained a gunshot wound during the rescue operation.
Edo-Osagie made the disclosure in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Association, Festus Osagie Usiobaifo in Benin on Thursday.
He stated also that a policeman was killed in the attack.
“A source told the Chairman and his team (Dream Team) that His Honour was rescued unhurt in the early hours of today,12th day of January, 2022, following an attack launched against the kidnappers by Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad attached to Police Headquarters, Benin City.
“It was gathered that in the process of rescuing the victim, there was an exchange of heavy gunfire between the Police and the bandits which led to one of the gallant police officers paying the ultimate price.
“The Chairman while appreciating the Police for its prompt intervention in the rescue of the victim, also commiserates with the Edo State Commissioner of Police, C.P. Mohammed Adamu Dankwara on the loss of his gallant officer. The Chairman also prays to God Almighty to grant the family of the slain officer the fortitude to bear the loss.
“On a final note, the Chairman and his team appreciate Nigerians especially members of the Benin Bar for standing by the family of Mrs Precious Aigbonoga during her time in captivity”, the statement read .
A family source said that the Customary Court President was rescued by the Nigerian army and has been reunited with her family.
“She was shot by the kidnappers.
She is receiving treatment in the hospital.
“She was rescued my the military, but was shot by the kidnappers”, the source added.
The Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed that the judge was rescued from the kidnappers’ den called “Scorpion Hill inside the forest” by a joint military-police team, adding that a policeman lost his life in the process.
