Decomposing Body of AAU Lecturer Found in a Forest

Dr. Paul  Erie, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, who was kidnapped by gunmen in his country home 105 days ago has been found dead.

His decomposing body was Thursday exhumed in the forest between

Orhionmwon and Igueben local government areas where he was buried by his captors after he allegedly died in their hands.

The exhumation followed the arrest of some members of the gang who were believed to have abducted him when he visited his Igbanke community where he was a palace chief on June 16 and was never seen again.

It was also gathered that gathered not less than five persons had been arrested in connection with the crime including a member of the vigilante group simply know as “kill and go” in the community and was suspected to have been supplying the seven-man gang with bullets.

“The police leadership from Abudu and Igbanke led a team of policemen and members of the vigilante into the place where they buried him, but civilians were not allowed to follow them.

“They said the decomposing body of  Erie was exhumed from the spot. He was buried naked, they also found his SIM card and some other luggage believed to belong to some of their other victims in the grave they buried him. But we have not been told of how he died,” and eye witness from the community stated.

As at press time, the body and other exhibits of the late lecturer were being taken to the state police command headquarters in Benin City for further investigations.

According to THISDAY investigation, two suspects were said to have been picked up by the police in the area who were said to have later led the police to their camp in the bush bordering Orhionmwon and Igueben local governments.  

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Stephen Onwochei said he could not confirm the development but would find out and get back to the press.

Erie was said to have visited home on the fateful day “and he was exchanging pleasantries with his neighbours in Igbanke where he is a palace chief when dogs started barking in his house which is not fenced. He adduced the barking to a usual action of the dogs when the overhead water tank in his house is filled and immediately decided to go back to his house not knowing that his abductors were lurking in the premises.

He drove into the compound which is not fenced and they immediately pounced on him, took him into the house at gun point and went away with cash and some electronics. They took the person with him in the car and threw him into the booth while they took my friend away in their vehicle” a close friend related this to The Guardian then.

His abductors it was gathered, had opened talks with the family and first demanded for N30 million which they later reduced to N12 million but subsequently told the family members to  drop whatever they could raise at a spot and that their breadwinner would be released but he was never seen neither did the abductors contact anybody since then.

This kidnapping is getting out of hand oooh....And with Xmas lurking around the corner only God can save people now!