Manhunt for gunmen who abducted Edo PDP chairman, Aziegbemi

By Titus Akhigbe

Manhunt is on after gunmen struck in Edo State to abduct the state’s chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon.Tony Aziegbemi. He was kidnapped by a gang of armed men few metres to his Government Reservation Area residence in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

His kidnap came less than a month after the party conducted its governorship primary which produced Mr Asue Ighodalo as the candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming September 21th, 2024 governorship election.

Aziegbemi was said to have been trailed by his abductors who were in two Toyota Corolla cars over took his jeep at a speed breaker point along Odaro street ,off Country home road close to his house at about 11pm Friday night.

Aziegbemi, who is said not to have police protection was said to have left a night meeting in government house when he was being trailed by his abductors.

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The driver to Aziegbemi narrated how his boss was kidnapped said, ” when we left 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 enter their car and took him away.

The gunmen were said to have abandoned Aziegbemi’s car along Sapele road and took him away in their own cars.

As at the time of filing this report some top government officials and security agencies were sighted at the spot Aziegbemi was kidnapped.

Edo State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor when contacted confirmed the incident but however said it falls under the New Etete Police Division

Nwabuzor said, “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”.

Meanwhile,the Edo State government is collaborating with the security agencies to secure the release of its kidnapped party chairman.

According a terse statement endorsed by the commissioner for communication and Orientation,Hon. Chris Nehikhare, “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.”