*Edo Govt, Police To Rescue, APC Condemn Act
GUNMEN have kidnapped the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Mr. Tony Aziegbemi.
The incident occurred on Friday night, March 15, at a spot close to his residence at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, the state capital, less than a month after the party’s primary election ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
A source said the abductors, operating in two Toyota Corolla cars, double-crossed the PDP chairman’s jeep at a speed bump in the area and took him away, as he was returning from a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Narrating what happened, Aziegbemi’s driver said: “When we left Government House and headed home about 11p.m, I noticed the cars trailing us, so I decided to take a diversion. We never knew they were kidnappers.
“Few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed breaker and blocked our car in the front.
“Gunmen came out of the cars, pointed guns at us and ordered the chairman to enter their car and they took him away.”
He added that other gang members took Aziegbemi’s jeep, only to abandon it on Sapele Road.
State Police Command spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, while confirming the incident, said: “It happened in the jurisdiction of New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Funso Adegboye, has ordered tactical teams to go after the hoodlums and we pray that by the grace of God, we will rescue him unhurt.”
the Police Command in Edo said its operatives were collaborating with the local security network to rescue the victim unhurt.
Nwabuzor said Adegboye received the report of the incident with shock, adding, however, that the Police chief immediately gave a marching order to the tactical team leaders to conduct a rescue party in collaboration with local vigilance groups and hunters.
He solicited the cooperation of Edo citizens and residents by giving information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and the rescue of the victim to the Police.
In its reaction, the Edo State Government said it was on top of the situation.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement he issued in Benin on Saturday, March 16, said the government had stepped up surveillance and was collaborating with security agencies for the safe release of the kidnapped victim.
“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.”
Nehikhare reassured the public of the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents, saying government would spare no resource in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act were apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
On its part, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, in a statement issued by its state acting Chairman, Jarret Tenabe, condemned the action, which it attributed to the lack of strong security architecture in the state.
“The kidnap is a wake-up call on the Obaseki-led administration that all is not well, in terms of securing the state, which is the primary responsibility of government.
“The APC, Edo State Chapter, uses this medium to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the PDP chairman,” the statement read.
The party called on state security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the quest to ensure that Aziegbemi’s was released unhurt.
