•One suspect arrested

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha, Asaba

THE Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, SP Valentine Mbalu, has been reportedly killed by his abductors, 12 days after he was taken hostage by suspected herdsmen.

Nigerian Police

The incident, which  occurred  between Ekwoma and Umunede, along the Benin/Asaba/Onitsha expressway, led to a serious manhunt for the abductors.

The unsuspecting Police Officer was abducted at about  4pm  on Sunday, March 5, 2017, on his way to Asaba after spending the weekend with his family at Agbor.

A reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity, told  Sunday  Vanguard that the decomposing corpse of the DPO was found in Umunede bush yesterday.

He disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers, a Fulani who sells water Mellon at Abraka within Asaba metropolis, has been arrested.

Some time ago, the decomposing body of the king of Ubulu-Uku, HRM Edward Akaeze Ofulue III, who was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen in January, 2016, was also found in Umunede bush days after his abduction.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the development. The PPRO, who was obviously sad, did not give further details on the matter.