With almost 48 hours after the abduction of the Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tiny Aziegbemi, his captors were yet to contact any members of his family or political associates. Aziegbemi was kidnapped by gunmen close to his house.
As of yesterday, a family friend said: “As of now, there has not been any contact, and I just spoke to my boss, who I know will also have needed information, said that they have not been contacted. The family members are as worried as everyone because they did not go with his phone; it was with his driver.”
Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, said there has been no development yet after the police had deployed its tactical team to investigate the matter.
Azeigbemi was kidnapped around 11 pm last Friday close to his house around the Country Home Area of Benin City after a late meeting in the government house.
Condemnations have continued to trail the kidnap with the state government saying it was on top of the issue 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, 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 to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The governorship candidate of the PDP in the September 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, yesterday 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.”
Also, the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has described the kidnapping as worrisome. A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade. Sam Uroupa, attributed the development to the state’s lack of a good security network.
“Despite the acclaimed security network and alleged empowerment of vigilante boys only used for thuggery and intimidation of voters during the election, lives and properties in the state are not safe. That the state Chairman of the ruling party in the state is 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 properties of her citizenry. It seems not doing enough to curtail criminal activities in the state.
“This kidnap is one kidnap too many in the State, which signposts an overt reminder and wake-up call on Governor Obaseki’s led administration in the state that all is not well in terms of securing the state, which is the primary responsibility of the government. Therefore, The Labor Party reassures the good people of Edo State that if the party is voted into power, the security issue in the state will be vehemently tackled, and kidnapping and other social vices will be things of the past,” the statement said.
