Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have taken the leader of the Edo State People Democratic Party, Tony Aziegbemi, along Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, Edo State.
Aziegbemi was reportedly taken around 11 pm on Friday.
The Edo PDP chairman was reportedly taken after leaving a meeting at the Government House and heading home in his vehicle. The incident occurred in the presence of his driver who was trying to navigate a speed bump.
The driver described how his boss was taken, saying, "When we left the Government House heading home at about 11 pm, I noticed a car following us so I decided to take a different route. We never knew they were kidnappers.
“A few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed bump and blocked our car in the front and back, preventing us from reversing. Immediately the gunmen aimed guns at us and ordered our chairman to get into their car and took him away, while also taking his jeep with him.”
The abductors left Aziegbemi’s car along Sapele Road and took him away in their own cars.
At the time of reporting this, some top government officials and security agencies were seen at the location where Aziegbemi was taken.
Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident when contacted.
He however said the case fell under the New Etete Police Division.
Nwabuzor stated, "It is confirmed. The case is in the jurisdiction of the New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station, where it occurred.
“The Commissioner of Police has instructed the tactical teams of operatives to pursue the gunmen and we hope that with the grace of God, we will be able to rescue him unharmed”.
His abduction took place less than a month after the party's governorship primary, which resulted in the selection of Mr Asue as the PDP candidate in the upcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election. Ighodalo His abduction came less than a month after the party carried out its governorship primary, which led to the choice of Mr Asue as the PDP candidate in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election.
