Unknown gunmen have
reportedly kidnapped Queen Florence Ikhumhen, wife of the traditional ruler of
Ewatto Kingdom, Esan South-East Local Government area of Edo State, His Royal
Highness, Ikhumhen ll.
One of the daughters
of the monarch was said to have been abducted with her mother.
Queen Florence
Ikhumhen who recently retired as the Principal of Itohan Grammar School, Benin
City, was kidnapped on Sunday night, at her residence around Jemilla area of
Benin, the State capital.
It was gathered that
the gunmen who were armed with AK-47 rifles, shot sporadically into the air
before taking away their victims.
It was further
gathered that they came into the Community in a speed boat through the Ikpoba
River and also left through the same route.
Sources close to the
Ewatto palace disclosed that the incident has devastated the traditional ruler
and the entire Ewatto kingdom.
The sources added that
the kidnappers have been making contact with the the palace and their close
family members, but that the amount they were demanding was yet unknown.
Edo State Police
Command’s spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the report, added that
investigation was ongoing.