An Octogenarian Raises Alarm Over Missing Son, Others In Benin City

By Felix Azamosa

As the political gladiators trade tackles at the governorship election tribunal which was recently moved from Benin City, Edo State to the nation’s Capital, Abuja following unrest allegedly orchestrated by political thugs which led to violence as witnesses continue to tender evidences on what transpired in their units, wards and collation centres, there is an uncertainty in the air, as a 81 years old woman and widow, Mrs Julie Ujuanbi who appeared visibly worried told journalists at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council that her Son Ujuanbi William Omoarukhe and wife Pauline Uyinmwen Ujuanbi including three children are missing.

The Octogenarian who was in tears, lamented the untold hardship the sudden disappearance of her son has caused her, saying he was the bread winner of the family.

She said trouble started when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpevbolo winner of the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in the state.

Mrs Julie Ujuanbi stated that her son, Ujuanbi William Omoarukhe who was one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leader (PDP) in Owan West Local Government Area of the state, was in possession of credible evidence on how his party won the election in the locality and maintained that since he was scheduled to testify against the incumbent ruling Government of APC, there has been several assassination attempts on his life, leading to his house been attacked and riddled with gun shots after a failed assassination attempt on him at Esigie street Benin City, where he took his family out on February 14, 2025 in commemoration of Valentines day.

She said, the luck he had was when he refused to disclose his identity to a pretty lady who was asking of Mr William, they all said there was no Mr William “on this table” which prompted the assailants to leave the venue to his residence where they shot severally at the building since they couldn’t gain access into the building.

She further disclosed that since that shooting incident, her son and members of his immediate family have been missing.

She alleged that the last time she heard from her son was when he was taking refuge with his family in an unnamed hotel where he told her that he was quitting politics to save his life.

Mrs. Julie, gave the names of her missing grand Children as Ujuanbi Favour Agbonmeire, Ujuanbi Peace Olohirere and Ujuanbi Collins Ohireimen and appealed to the press to help her in publicizing the situation as the matter has been reported to the police.

When contacted, the police Image Maker, DSP Moses Yamu, said the command received the reports, noting that the anti-kidnapping and special Squad intelligence units were currently investigating the matter to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing persons, and apprehending the bad guys threatening his life.

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