Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
More details have been released about the kidnap of Dr Tony Aziegbemi the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Gunmen reportedly kidnapped Tony Aziegbemi at the entrance to his house in Benin City.
Truth Live News Media had earlier reported the abduction of the chairman, who was abducted less than three days after the expiration of the party’s State Working Committee tenure.
It was gathered that the PDP chairman was kidnapped on Friday (yesterday) when he was about to enter his house shortly after a meeting at Government House, Benin City.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the PDP chairman was kidnapped at the entrance of his house along Country Home Hotel Road, Benin City, after the meeting with the governor.
According to the source, as the driver was about to enter the compound, the kidnappers blocked the jeep took Dr Tony Aziegbemi away and left the driver.
He also added that Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate for the forthcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election, was supposed to attend the meeting with the governor.
He said the governorship candidate was, however, not able to attend the meeting due to his private visit to Uromi, the administrative headquarters of
Esan North-East Local Government Area.
A party chieftain, who also spoke to newsmen anonymously, said the abducted PDP chairman’s meeting with the governor was about how to set up a caretaker Committee to take over the party’s affairs pending the election of a new executive.
“We plan to set up a Caretaker Committee to take over the party’s affairs since we have a crucial election on September 21, 2024. The Aziegbemi-led State Exco ended on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
“As you may be aware, conducting fresh PDP State Congress in Edo State when governorship election is around the corner may weakened our togetherness as one party towards winning the election”, he said.
However, a statement released by the Edo State Government and signed by its Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, said that the state government has stepped up surveillance and collaborated with security agencies to ensure the safe release of kidnapped PDP Chair Aziegbemi.
“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 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 to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said he should be given time to respond as he had yet to be briefed about it.