Report: Gunmen Kidnap Wife of NRC Managing Director

Sunday Okobi

Suspected gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the wife of the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mrs. Francisca Okhiria, allegedly on Ulegun road near Benin-city, Edo State capital.

According to a report, Mrs. Okhiria was trailed from Airport Road in the city by the hoodlums where she was accosted at the entrance of her house in a “deadly and violent manner.”

The armed men, who the report added were on police uniform, shot sporadically in the area before abducting her to unknown destination.

It was gathered that the daredevil kidnappers, who were trying to get away with their victim, allegedly shot and killed an innocent military man who was standing by the road side.

Report revealed that the woman was taking through Airport Road where the kidnappers seemingly stationed their boat at Ogba River for escape.

As at press time, the kidnappers were yet to make any demand for ransom. The police has already stepped up action to rescue the woman unhurt, the report added.

However, when Yellowstone Media contacted the NRC Director of Public Relation, Yakubu Mahmood, he said he wasn’t aware of such occurrence, adding also that he is not in the position to speak on such matter as it was the duty of the police to confirm such incident.

All efforts to speak with the MD of the NRC, Fridet Okiria, proved abortive as his assistant refused to discuss the matter.

However, when contacted, the state Police spokesperson, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, said an Army Sergeant attached to the woman was also shot and has been taken to the military hospital for medical attention.

Nwabuzor said the woman was kidnapped at Irhirhi along NNPC filling station in Oredo Local Government Area.

According to him, “It is confirmed that she was kidnapped and the police recovered the vehicle; a Land Cruiser Prado SUV when the incident took place.

“The Army sergeant shot by the hoodlums was with her as security personnel, and was eventually taken to the military hospital by the police. The gunmen came in a Toyota Camry.”

He noted that investigation into the incident has already commenced.