Barely a month after the release of Margret Emefiele, wife of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor from kidnappers den, Emuhun community has called on the federal government, Nigeria police as well as CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele to come to the aid of the family of Gabriel Okorare allegedly killed during the rescue operation.
BusinessDay reports that elders and leaders of the community made the call at a press briefing at the Edo state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin- City.
Samson Osagie, secretary of the community who briefed the press in the presence of the deceased family also called on the governor of Edo and Delta states, Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa respectively, the Assistant Inspector- General of Police in charge of zone 5, State Security Service, commissioners of police in the two states as well as the Oba Ewuare 11 of Benin Kingdom to come to the aid of the family.
Recall that the CBN governor’s wife was kidnapped September 30, 2016 at Ugoneki area along Benin- Asaba expressway and later released October 1, 2016.
Osagie said the deceased was one of the vigilante members of the community that joined forced with security operatives to rescue the CBN governor’s wife from her abductors.
He disclosed that he however died in the process of rescuing the kidnapped victim.
According to him, it is with deep pains in our heart, that we brief you this day over the tragic death of Mr. Gabriel Okorare who was killed in the course of rescuing the kidnapped wife of the CBN governor of Nigeria Mrs. Margret Emefiele.
“On 30th of September, 2016, an emergency call from the senior police officer at Okhuaihe police divisional headquarters in Edo state called on all the civil vigilante in Emuhun, Ugineki and its environ seeking for their kind support and assistance to recsue the kidnapped wife of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mrs, Margret Emefiele and three others alleged to have been kidnapped with her by the abductors.
“As the police officers described the ugly sad incidence as embarrassment to the Edo state police command and the nation Nigeria in general, the police further added that Mrs. Emefiele was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Ugoneki area while travelling along the Benin- Asaba expressway. This emergency request was responded to by all the civil vigilante members in Uhunmwode.
“The late Gabriel Okorare, one of the vigilante members who determined to join force with security operative (police) to rid off the localities of all forms of criminality including kidnapping, responded to the police call with vigilante colleagues and join other security operatives, the police, DSS, and the police monitory team from Abuja among others combed the bush forest to rescue the wife of the CBN governor from the kidnappers den.
“Regrettably, Mr. Gabriel Okorare a hero, crime fighter during the process of rescuing and saving the life of Mrs. Margret Emefiele from her abductors he was shot dead by the kidnappers and his lifeless body was recovered by the police who were equally involved in the same rescued operation the police deposited its remain body or corpse at Abudu Hospital mortuary”, he explained.
He said the deceased who was the breadwinner of the family left behind two wives, 11 children, aged mother and several relations.
He noted that since his death the feeding and caring of the family have been a major challenge to the community particularly at the current hash economy recession of the country.
The spokesperson who posited that the incident has forced the deceased children out of school, however called on the relevant government agencies as well as well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the family with a view towards supporting the survival of the children and family
He further explained that Edo state police commissioner who promised to convey the matter to the appropriate authority after an interviewed with members of the family also failed to pay a condolence visit to the deceased family.
When contacted on phone the Edo state police image maker, Stephen Onwochie promised to get back to newsmen.