16th March, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Mr Tony Aziegbemi, has been reportedly kidnapped in Benin, the state capital.
Aziegbemi was reportedly kidnapped at about 11 pm on Friday, just few meters to his GRA residence in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
It was gathered that the Edo PDP chairman who is said not to have police protection, was trailed by abductors in two Toyota Corolla cars.
Narrating what transpired, Aziegbemi’s driver said they left a night meeting in Government House at about 11 pm.
He added that the gunmen overtook their vehicle at a speed breaker point along Osaro Street, off Country Home Road.
He said: “When we left the government house heading home at about 11pm, I noticed a car trailing us so I decided to take another diversion. We never knew they were kidnappers.
“Few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed breaker point and blocked our car in the front and immediately the gunmen pointing gun at us and ordered our chairman to entered their car and took him away.”
The State Police Command spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, has confirmed the abduction of Aziegbemi.
“That is confirmed, it is in the jurisdiction of New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station, that is where it happened.
“The Commissioner of Police has given marching orders to the tactical teams of the operatives to go after the hoodlums and we pray that by the grace of God all hands are on deck and we will be able to rescue him unhurt,” Nwabuzor said.
Meanwhile, the acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Jarrett Tenebe, has condemned the abduction of Dr Aziegbemi.
Tenebe in a statement on Saturday, attributed the “ugly development to the lack of strong and well oiled security architecture in the state.”
He statement said: “The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) received the news of the kidnap of the State chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Azegbemwin with rude shock and has profoundly condemned same, attributing this ugly development to the lack of strong and well oiled security architecture in the state.
“This kidnap is one kidnap too many in the State which signpost’s an overt reminder and wake up call on Governor Obaseki led administration in the state that all is not well, in terms of securing the State which is the primary responsibility of government.
“That the chairman of the party of a sitting governor can be kidnapped, is a testament of the very porous, ill equipped, ill motivated security machinery in the state inspite of the humongous security vote been collected by Governor Obaseki on a monthly basis.
“The APC, Edo State chapter uses this medium to demand of the abductors, the immediate and unconditional release of the PDP chairman, while we call on the security agencies in the state to leave no stone unturned in the quest to ensuring his release unhurt.”
In reaction, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said, “The Edo State Government is on top of the issue of the unfortunate kidnapping of the Chairman of the State’s Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.
“The Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release and return to his family.
“We have also increased surveillance and beefed-up security measures across the State to ensure that these criminal activities are quelled and culprits are brought to justice.
“We encourage residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear and urge them to call the State emergency numbers 112 or 739 to report all suspicious persons or activities within their environs.
“The Government reassures that it is committed to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents and will spare no resources in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law”.