Tension has gripped Edo State following the reported midnight abduction of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Edo South, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.
The elderly octogenarian was reportedly picked up from his residence at approximately 3:00 a.m. by a team of armed individuals claiming to be operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to accounts from family members and local sources, the armed men stated during the operation that they were acting on directives originating from state authorities.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across political and civil society circles, coming against the backdrop of heightened pre-election friction and controversial political rhetoric in the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Jarrett Tenebe who earlier threatened to kill people who would obstruct 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting strongly to the development, human rights advocate Comrade Osato Aimufua strongly decried the incident, warning that the targeting of non-combatant elderly relatives amounts to dangerous political persecution.
”The extrajudicial abduction of a 90-year-old man in the dead of night crosses a red line in our civil democracy,” Comrade Aimufua stated.
“We are calling on international human rights bodies like Amnesty International, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and all relevant national authorities to intervene immediately before political actors turn Edo State into a battlefield.”
Aimufua further expressed deep concern over the shrinking democratic space in the state, drawing connections to recent inflammatory remarks credited to ruling party figures.
Observers have noted escalating tensions following recent public statements by the All Progressives Congress (APC) state leadership, including comments by party officials regarding electoral targets and opposition movement.
The political climate has faced additional strain following reports of systematic vandalism targeting opposition infrastructure.
Campaign posters belonging to ADC candidates, including those of Barrister Frank Unuigboje in the Owan West Local Government Area, were reportedly defaced and pulled down across multiple districts.
Despite the polarized atmosphere, some political actors have appealed for restraint. Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, publicly condemned the destruction of opposition campaign materials, emphasizing mutual respect among political contenders.
As of press time, formal statements clarifying the legal grounds for the early-morning operation or disclosing Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen’s precise whereabouts have not been officially issued by the Edo State Police Command.
Family members, legal representatives, and civil society watchdogs continue to demand his immediate and unconditional release, alongside guarantees for his safety and medical well-being.