A justice of the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal, Chioma Nwosu is yet to regain her freedom two weeks after she was kidnapped.
She was attacked by gunmen along Benin-Agbor Highway on her way to an assignment on October 29. Her police orderly was fatally shot during the incident.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Edo State police commissioner Mohammed Danmallam said efforts to rescue her commenced a day after the attack.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Godwin Obaseki had convened a meeting of the state security council in Benin on November 8, which had top state officials — including Mr Danmallam — in attendance.
But two weeks after, the top judge remained in captivity, amidst concerns about her safety.
Mr Danmallam on Monday evening said that an anti-kidnapping police team had been activated to secure the judge’s release, but declined further comment on the status of the search efforts.
Ms Nwosu served for several years at the Imo State High Court in Owerri before being transferred to Benin following her elevation to the Court of Appeal division there.
A top security source who was amongst those investigating the incident expressed fears about Ms Nwosu’s safety, saying it was becoming unusually late for a kidnapped victim whose assailants needed money.
On the incident, Crusoe Osagie, a spokesperson for Mr Obaseki, said the governor has been leading efforts to ensure the judge’s safe return to her work and family.
“The governor has been in touch with the security people to rescue her,” Mr Osagie said. “Everything will be done to rescue her and we remain hopeful.”
