A group, the Ado Descendants Union, ADU, has hailed the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for ordering the release of three traditional rulers detained in connection with a false kidnapping allegation in Benue State.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the President of the group, Dr John Onazi.
The monarchs released from detention include Isaac Ebilima, Igwe Linus, and Daniel Nweze.
They were detained at the AIG Zone 4 headquarters in Makurdi following a petition by the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lami Danladi Ogenyi.
The monarchs were accused, along with the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, Engineer Oche Sunday Oche, of operating an illegal detention facility in the Obioye area of the local government.
The IGP ordered a full-scale investigation into the allegations, which was found to be unfounded and baseless.
Dr Onazi lauded the Nigeria Police Force for exposing the falsehood behind the accusations and for respecting the rights of the traditional leaders.
A police special investigation team, led by CSP Mannase Orhena from the IGP’s office in Abuja, visited Ado Local Government on Sunday, where residents denied the existence of any illegal detention facility in the area.
The community stated that the location mentioned in the petition as a detention facility was, in fact, a public market and a Catholic Church where people freely gather to trade and worship.
On Monday, the IGP ordered the immediate release of the detained monarchs following diligent investigations that exonerated them.
Group commends IGP over release of detained Benue monarchs
