Gunmen has abducted Tony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
The incident occurred on Friday, March 15, shortly after Aziegbemi left a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City.
Reports of the kidnapping emerged on Saturday, with both the Edo State Police Command and the state government issuing statements. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed receiving a report of the incident from Aziegbemi’s driver, Joseph Impete.
According to Impete’s account, six armed men accosted their vehicle along Bishop Dr. J.O.E. Edokpolor Boulevard Junction near Aziegbemi’s residence. The gunmen forced Aziegbemi out of his car and into another vehicle before driving away to an unknown location.
Reacting swiftly, Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, ordered the deployment of tactical teams alongside vigilante groups and hunters to locate and rescue Aziegbemi unharmed.
Nwabuzor appealed to the public for cooperation, urging them “to give information to the Police that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and the rescue of the victim unhurt.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government, through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the kidnapping as “unfortunate.”
“The Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release and return to his family.” He said.
He further stated that the government has intensified security measures across the state to curb such criminal activities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
