Relatives of kidnapped chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Edo state, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has reportedly heaved a sigh of relief after his abductors was said to have made contact with a member of the family.
A family source who begged for anonymity said the gang made the contact in the early hours of last week Friday, eight days after Aziegbemi was taken hostage.
The source also disclosed that the PDP chairman’s abductors demanded for N500 million ransom during the conversation.
Aziegbemi was taken hostage few meters away from his residence in Benin City on March 15, 2024.
He was said to be returning from a political meeting when the hoodlums struck.
Tension had mounted among family members and associates of the PDP chair over the latter’s whereabouts as his abductors went incommunicado after the ugly incident.
The development at the time, threw the PDP’s chair relatives and associates into panic over his safety.
A family member who identified himself as Sam Ogbeiye had appealed to the kidnappers to spare Aziegbemi’s life and make contact with the family.
Ogbeiye at the time called on security agents to intensify efforts to secure his freedom unhurt.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police spokesman for Edo State police command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted, said the police authorities not aware of the ransom demand.
According to him, “I am not aware of any ransom demand. I can only confirm what I am aware of.”
Chidi had also in a statement said the State police Commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, gave a marching order to the police tactical team to conduct a rescue party in collaboration with vigilantes group and the hunters to rescue Aziegbemi unhurt.
