The Edo State Police Command has denied awareness of any ransom demand by the abductors of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter, Tony Aziegbemi.
The police said this in response to claims by family members of the Edo PDP Chair that his abductors are demanding N500 million for his release.
According to the source who spoke to newsmen anonymously, the abductors made contact with his family on Friday to demand N500 million as ransom to free him.
The source said, “The kidnappers have contacted the family of Tony Aziegbemi, and they have demanded a N500 million ransom. I don’t know what the family members are doing to raise the money or if the party, the PDP, is doing anything to assist them.”
Responding to this, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the police were not aware of the ransom demand.
“I am not aware of any ransom demand. I can only confirm what I am aware of,” he said.
The police spokesperson also noted that a top-tier investigation is ongoing in order to ascertain the release of the PDP chieftain.
News About Nigeria had reported that gunmen kidnapped Aziegbemi on March 15 at around 11 pm on Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, Edo State.
According to his driver, Aziegbemi had left a meeting at the Government House and was going home in his vehicle when he was waylaid and kidnapped in the presence of his driver.
The kidnappers had dislodged the driver while they abducted the PDP Chair at gunpoint with his vehicle.
Aziegbemi’s car was, however, found where the kidnappers had abandoned it.
