Gunmen kidnap Edo PDP chair

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday night kidnapped the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Tony Aziegbemi.

It was gathered that Azeigbeme was kidnapped few metres to his residence located on Government Reservation Area, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The kidnappers, who were reportedly trailing Azeigbemi in two Toyota Corolla cars, overtook his car at a speed bump close to his house around 11pm and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

It was learnt that Aziegbemi had left a night meeting in government house without a police escort.

Aziegbemi’s driver who spoke to journalists, said, he noticed a vehicle trailing them when they left the government house, but he never knew the occupants were kidnappers.

“Few minutes later after I had diverted to another road to evade the vehicle, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed bump and blocked our car. They ordered our chairman to enter their car and took him away,” he said.

When contacted, the Edo State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident

He said the Commissioner of Police had given marching orders to the tactical teams of the operatives to go after the hoodlums and  rescue the victim unhurt.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government said it had stepped up surveillance in collaboration with security agencies to ensure safe release of the kidnapped PDP chairman.

A statement by the Commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the government was working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release.

“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,” he added.

He reassured the public that the government was committed to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents and would spare no resources in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.