Dr. Tony Azegbemi, the Edo State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been released after nearly two weeks of being held captive.
He was freed by his captors early on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, and returned to his residence in Benin City around 3 a.m. Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser for Media Projects to the Edo State Governor, confirmed his release.
It remains unconfirmed whether a ransom was paid for his release. Dr. Azegbemi is a former member of the House of Representatives for the Esan North-East/Esan South-East federal constituency of Edo State.
Reports indicate that on the night of Friday, March 16, 2024, abductors in two Toyota Corolla cars followed and captured him.
The assailants overtook Aziegbemi’s SUV on Osaro Street around 11 p.m. that same night.
Separately, a group of bandits kidnapped thirteen individuals, including twelve married women and one man, during a recent attack in Kurechin Giye village, Makera Ward, Dutsinma Local Government Area, Katsina State.
The attackers looted properties worth millions of naira from the residents during the raid.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, reported that the bandits were equipped with dangerous and sophisticated weapons and stormed the village late on Monday.
