Edo PDP chair’s kidnappers mum, Ighodalo, others lament

Kidnappers of the Chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Aziegbemi, have yet to contact any members of his family or political associates two days after they whisked him away.

Aziegbemi was abducted by gunmen on Friday at about 11 pm on Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, Edo State.

He was said to have left a meeting at the Government House and was going home in his vehicle when he was waylaid while his driver was attempting to climb a speed breaker.

As of the time of filing this report on Sunday, a family friend said, “As of now, there has been no contact and I just spoke to my boss who confirmed that the kidnappers have not contacted family members or his associates.

“The family members are as worried as every one of us because they did not also go with his phone, it is with his driver.”

Also, the police spokesman in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, said there was no development yet after the police deployed its tactical team on Saturday to unravel the case.

Meanwhile, condemnations have continued to trail the kidnap of the Edo PDP chairman with the state government saying it was on top of the situation and was working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release and return to his family.

 A statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, on Saturday night, said, “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.”

Also, the governorship candidate of the PDP for the September 21, 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, on Sunday, condemned the kidnap of Azeigbemi, describing it as shocking.

In a statement, Ighodalo said, “The news of the kidnapping of the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, on Friday night, was extremely shocking and distressing.

“I strongly condemn this dastardly act, and my heart goes out to the Aziegbemi family at this very trying time. I join the family in offering fervent prayers for his safe return.

 “I also urge the security agencies to continue to spare no effort in investigating the matter and working assiduously for our dear party chairman’s safe release.”

On its part, the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party described the kidnap as worrisome.

The Publicity Secretary of the Edo LP, Sam Uroupa, in a statement on Sunday, attributed the ugly development to the lack of a good security network in the state.

He said, “In spite of the acclaimed security network and alleged empowerment of vigilantes only used for thuggery and intimidation of voters during election, lives and property in the state are not safe.

“For the state chairman of the ruling party in the state to be kidnapped in such a manner is an attestation that Edo State is seriously lacking in the area of security and government that ought to protect the lives and property of her citizenry.

“This kidnap is one kidnap too many in the state which signposts an overt reminder and wake-up call on Governor Godwin  Obaseki-led administration in the state that all is not well, in terms of securing the state which is the primary responsibility of government.”