25-year-old NYSC member, daughter of Edo law maker kidnapped in Abuja

Police begin manhunt for 25-year-old NYSC member taken since Wednesday

Fear has gripped passengers using the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) following the invasion of the facility by kidnappers and other criminals posing as commercial transport operators.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the men, who have laid siege to the airport and environs, kidnapped a National Youth Corps Service member and daughter of a serving House of Representatives member from Edo State last Wednesday.

The NYSC member, Eghonghon Jessica Edionwele, the second daughter of Chief Joe Edionwele, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben federal constituency of Edo State has not been found.

Eghonghon, a graduate of physiotherapy from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, is serving in Ibadan and had flown with the 4pm flight of Arik Air from Lagos to Abuja to join his father, when she was taken by her captors.

The victim reportedly boarded a vehicle from the NAIA  to the Area One residence of her father but was never taken to the house by the driver who picked from the airport.

She was feared to have boarded a commercial vehicle known as ‘One Chance’ operated by kidnappers and armed robbers, who simply railroad their victims to their hideouts and rob or kill demand heavy ransom as a condition for release.

Findings indicated that although the NYSC member landed at the NAIA at exactly 5.15pm that Wednesday, her whereabouts remained unknown while her phones were also  switched off.

The father, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said  her daughter was expected to arrive at her Abuja home around 6pm that Wednesday, regretting that nothing had been heard from her since then.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that although the captors of the 25-year-old had not established any contact with the family, some people had been using her Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card to withdraw money from her account.

As at last night, N30,000 had been withdrawn from Eghonghon’s account.

The FCT police, where the matter had been lodged by the family, said they were aware of the  development but declined to give further details.

The FCT Police Command spokesman, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, said he had no further information to give on the matter, when our correspondent called him, yesterday, evening.