Former Edo state House of Assembly speaker Zakawanu Garuba dies at 54. His wife and driver kidnapped on their way to his funeral

A former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba, has died just as some unknown persons have reportedly abducted his wife and driver while on their way to his funeral.

Garuba was the speaker of the state House of Assembly between 2007 and 2009. He died in Abuja on Friday, July 17 after a brief undisclosed illness.

Meanwhile, Hassana, the wife of the deceased politician, his mother, and three children were riding in a car behind the ambulance carrying his corpse to Auchi in Etsako West local government area for his burial, when they were attacked by kidnappers along the Lokoja-Abuja highway this afternoon.

The kidnappers reportedly abducted Hassana and the driver, leaving the aged mother of the politician and their three children.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in Edo state, Johnson Kokumo said

“I have been informed of the unfortunate incident and we are working to ensure that the remaining persons get to Auchi safely while the Kogi State Police is working on the situation to ensure the woman is rescued”