The police in Edo State, South-South Nigeria, is closing in on the kidnappers popular activist and human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), it has been reported. The police lost four officers who made a futile attempt to stop Ozekhome’s kidnap, on Friday afternoon.

“Though the suspected kidnappers succeeded in taking away their victim, Ozekhome, and his driver during a gun duel, there were indications that the police were closing in on the suspected kidnappers. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, and his men were said to be combing the ‘Evil Forest’ and other suspicious hideouts in search of the victim,” reports Vanguard.

The paper says that Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, has directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to fish out the suspects. “It was learnt that the DPO who led the group was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. An eye witness account said that the police officers battled the suspected kidnappers but were subdued due to the abductors’ superior fire-power,” according to Vanguard.

It quotes Edo ComPol Adebanjo as saying: “Operatives of the command, led by DPO Ehor Division, responded swiftly to a distress call at about 3:30 p.m. that an unspecified number of armed men had blocked the Benin-Auchi Road by Ehor axis. However, the hoodlums ambushed the patrol vehicle and opened fire on them, prompting an exchange of fire.

“At the end of the gun duel, the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds but not without their victim who was later identified upon search on his abandoned vehicle as Chief Ozekhome (SAN) and his driver.

“Regrettably, the command lost four officers in the encounter. We salute their rare courage and bravery for they fought and died as heroes for the course of humanity. Their death shall not be in vain. We remain undeterred in our fight against armed banditry.”

Meanwhile, calls and prayers are being offered by worried Nigerians for Chief Ozekhome’s release by his captors. Reacting to the development, Lagos lawyer and activist Festus Keyamo said in a statement issued yesterday:

“This is one kidnap too many and it further draws local and international attention to the poor state of security in our country. It also highlights the state of joblessness among youths in our country which is one reason why they turn to this dangerous trade for their livelihood.

“I want to personally appeal to the kidnappers or their sponsors (if any), to kindly consider that Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has a family that rely on him, both nuclear and extended, and even other dependants in the society. I also appeal to them not to harm him in anyway. In the name of God that we all serve, they should please release him to re-unite with his family.”

On his part, Abdul Mahmud, President of the Abuja-based Public Interest Lawyers League who broke the news of Ozekhome’s kidnap on Friday night, said:

“Ozekhome SAN, my former principal and a personal friend, is the suave, outspoken Lagos lawyer whose contributions to constitutional and public laws are well too known; and it is tragic, and if not unheard of, for anyone to have seized him, held him captive against his will. “Ozekhome, like many Nigerians who are today held captive by kidnappers everywhere, doesn’t deserve the bestiality of those he has dedicated many years of his outspoken forthrightness to defend, nor does he deserve the mistreatment of gun totting scum who have seized our roads and our country. I call on those holding Ozekhome captive to release him immediately and unconditionally.

“There’s a wider point to be made here. The kidnap of Ozekhome highlights the growing insecurity in Edo state and in our country; and the government and security agencies must live up to their responsibility of securing public safety.”

•Photo: Ozekhome.