.As Police kill 4 suspects linked to kidnap, murder of CEO of HMG Attitude
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate suspension of the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area, George Egabor.
According to a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the traditional ruler was suspended indefinitely over recent cases of incessant kidnapping and killings in his domain.
According to the statement, the secretary of the monarch, Peter Omiogbemhi, has since been arrested by the relevant authorities, following a recent incident that led to the death of a palace chief, Late John Ikhamate.
The statement read, “Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, over recent cases of incessant kidnapping and killings in his domain.
“Already, his secretary, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, has been arrested by the relevant authorities, following a recent incident that led to the death of a palace chief, Late John Ikhamate.
“The suspension of the traditional ruler is indefinite.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has revealed that four of the kidnappers who allegedly kidnapped and murdered the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of HMG Attitude Limited, Hope Georgewill in the state, have been killed by it’s operatives of the anti-cultism unit.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko.
Iringe-Koko in the statement said the late Company CEO was abducted alongside two others on March 26, 2025, along the Cawthorne Channel on the Bakana River, by notorious sea pirates led by one Preye Ngian-Ngian who hailed from Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The Police PPRO who regretted that the kidnappers, despite receiving the sum of two million as ransom, still killed their victim, explained that the body of the deceased was later recovered and deposited at the morgue.
She said, “Following relentless investigative efforts and intelligence led policing, on April 3, 2025, at about 0730hrs, operatives of the anti-cultism unit in Emohua, in collaboration with intelligence gathered from two earlier arrested suspects in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, launched a tactical operation on the kidnappers’ hideout located in a creek, off the Bonny Waterway.
“Upon arrival at the hideout, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the hoodlums. The team responded with decisive force, and in the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were fatally wounded, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries.
“The two initial suspects who led the team to the location attempted to escape during the melee but were later apprehended with gunshot wounds.”
According to her, all four wounded suspects were immediately transported to the Police Clinic for emergency treatment, but were all confirmed dead on arrival to the clinic by the medical officer. “Their remains have since been deposited for autopsy,” she said.
The statement disclosed that items recovered during the operation include;( one operational speedboat, one 80-horsepower and one 70-horsepower outboard engines were recovered, the deceased’s mobile phone SIM card, one live cartridge, and food supplies used by the kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has commended the men of the command as this development marks a significant breakthrough in the continued effort to rid our waterways and communities of criminal elements.
He stated that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
He stated that further investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated with any new developments as they are unraveled.
