By Ayodele Oni
After 11 days in kidnappers’ den, Edo State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has been released.
Dr. Aziegbemi, who was set free by his abductors in the early hours of Tuesday, arrived his Benin City residence at about 3.00 am to the waiting arms of family and close friends.
Speaking on his mobile phone, the PDP Chairman said that he was happy to be back home with his family.
Sounding upbeat, he said : “I am back home with my family. I am fine. I am just trying to rest and will talk to you later.”
Dr. Aziegbemi, a former member of the House of Representatives, Esan North East/Esan South East, was trailed by his abductors in two Toyota Corolla cars on the night of Friday, March 16.
The gunmen overtook his sports utility vehicle at a speed break as it slowed down close to his house at about 11.00p.m that fateful Friday.
Aziegbemi who is said not to have police protection was on his way home after a meeting in Government House when he was abducted by the gunmen who trailed him.
The gunmen were said to have abandoned the Russian trained economist’s car along Sapele road and took him away in their get away cars.
The circumstances surrounding his release were still sketchy as the Edo State Police spokesman, Mr. Chidi Nwanbuzor, who spoke on his mobile phone, simply advised journalists to wait for an official police statement.
“Wait for the official police statement,” Nwanbuzor, a superintendent of police advised.
It was however not immediately clear if a ransom was paid for his release as the abductors had reportedly demanded a princely sum of N50 million before setting him free.
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