The Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Anthony Aziegbemi, said on Monday that his time in the hands of kidnappers was very distressing.
Aziegbemi shared his experience when the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, visited him at his home.
The Edo PDP chairman was taken by some gunmen on March 15 and spent 11 days in captivity before being released.
He was attacked by the gunmen near his house on Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, while returning home around 11 pm after a meeting at the state Government House in Benin.
Some days after the kidnapping, a family member said the kidnappers asked for N500m ransom for Aziegbemi’s release.
It was unclear if any ransom was paid, but Aziegbemi was reported to have returned home around 3 am last Tuesday.
Aziegbemi recounted the challenging moments he faced with his abductors to Shaibu and his team.
Still quite shocked from the incident, he mentioned that he wouldn't want anyone, not even his worst enemies, to go through what he experienced in the kidnappers' hideout, describing the stress and fears he endured during his time in captivity.
He stated, “I wouldn’t want anyone, not even my worst enemies, to go through what I went through in the kidnappers' hideout. The experience was very distressing and again, I wouldn't want that for anyone.”
In his response, the deputy governor mentioned he had a personal connection with Aziegbemi, and expressed his joy upon hearing about his release.
Shaibu explained, “We came to celebrate Easter with our chairperson and also thank God for his safe return home from the kidnappers' hideout. Remember I am the godfather to Aziegbemi's twin babies, which shows I have a personal connection with the Aziegbemis.”