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

It was further learnt that the kidnappers who were trailing Azeigbemi in two Toyota Corolla cars over took his car at a speed breaker point close to his house at about 11pm and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Aziegbemi was said to have left a night meeting at the Government House without a police escort when the incident happened.

Aziegbemi’s driver, who spoke to journalists yesterday, said he noticed a vehicle trailing them when they left the government house at about 11pm but never knew they were kidnappers.

“Few minutes after I diverted to another road to evade the vehicle, the same car appeared behind us at a speed breaker point 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 in the state has given marching orders to the tactical teams to go after the hoodlums and rescue the victim unhurt.

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

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