Patrick Aghamba, the Anambra State Commissioner for Youths Development, and his wife were kidnapped while en route to Abuja on August 16, 2024. They were traveling to attend the wedding of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s daughter, scheduled for August 17.
The abduction occurred on the Kogi axis of their journey, and unfortunately, Kpajie ABK Offiah, an aide to Aghamba and a prominent member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from Onitsha, was killed during the incident. Offiah was traveling with Aghamba and his wife when the attack took place.
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The exact location of the kidnapping remains uncertain, with reports suggesting the incident might have occurred in either Kogi State or Ubiaja in Edo State. Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, confirmed the situation but noted that the authorities have yet to pinpoint the precise location of the abduction.
This kidnapping incident follows a separate, troubling event where about 20 medical students were also abducted in Benue State. These students were traveling to Enugu State when they were ambushed by bandits in Otukpo Local Government Area. The group, traveling in two buses, was intercepted by the kidnappers around 5:30 pm on August 15, just before they reached their destination.
Sewuese Anene, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, reported that the students were en route from the northern part of Nigeria when the kidnapping occurred. This incident has added to the growing concerns about security and the increasing number of kidnapping cases in the country.
The recent spate of kidnappings underscores ongoing challenges with security and safety in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced measures to protect individuals and address the rising trend of abductions for ransom.
