The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has strongly condemned the killing of three policemen and  kidnap of the managing director of Ogba Zoo , Oredo council area of Edo State, Dr. Andy Ehanire by gun men recently. The incident happened at Ogba  Zoo, Oredo, Benin. Speaking on the development, The FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo said it was a sad development for the Nigerian tourism industry and  a major set-back for the little gains made by the Nigerian tourism industry. Rabo said:  “ I find it difficult and unacceptable that such a thing should happen at a tourist site in the country.

“ The kidnap of Ehanire at the Ogba zoological garden  is a serious set-back for the tourism  industry.  We are putting in efforts to promote local tourist sites and also promote our sites and destinations as safe to visit. Ehanire has contributed so much to this industry and  is at the forefront of the drive to develop it and make tourism a major income earner for the country. It is unfortunate that he would now fall victim of kidnap.  It is important for the Nigerian tourism industry that Ehanire is safely released back to his family.

“We are appealing to his captors to immediately release him and also call on the Edo State government to leave no stone unturned to effect the release of Ehanire.”

FTAN also called on the government to increase security at tourism sites to avoid such occurrence in the future. He said: “Tourism is big business and cannot flourish under insecurity. All tiers of government should ensure that our sites are safe and secured. This is the only way they could attract visitors as no tourist would like to go to any site that is unsafe.”