APC Chieftain Kidnapped In Edo, Muazu Family’s Member Regains Freedom

Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ugu Ward in Orhionmwon local government area, Edo State, Godwin Aigbogun, has been kidnapped by suspected hoodlums.

He was abducted on his way from his farm on Monday evening.

A chieftain of the APC in Ugu, who pleaded anonymity, said he was informed of the incident by political associates.

He said, “I was informed that the APC chairman in Ugu Ward (9) of Orhionmwon local government area was kidnapped on Monday evening while returning from his farm in our village, Ologbo-Nugu by suspected herdsmen. The scene of the crime is under the Iguelaba Police Division close to both Urhonigbe and Ugo Police Divisions.

In a statement issued yesterday by the deputy public relation officer of the Edo State Police Command, Jennifer Iwegbu, she confirmed the kidnap of Aigbogun.

The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command on 18/07/2022 at about 20:52hrs received a complaint from one Godwin Erhahon ‘M’ of Ologbo-unu village in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo State, that his brother, One Godwin Aigbogun ‘M’ of same village was suspected to have been kidnapped and whisked into the bush by hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers.
“On receipt of the information, a team of operatives from the command’s crack team, Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit immediately swung into action, mobilised to the scene and embarked on aggressive bush combing with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt and possible arrest or decimation of the suspected kidnappers.
“While the operatives are establishing the location of the kidnappers, the commissioner of police, Abutu Yaro, urged the public to remain calm so that police efforts to rescue the victim and possible arrest of the kidnappers would not be jeopardized,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hajiya Halimah Abdullahi, a relative of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP national chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, has regained freedom after spending six days in captivity.
Halimah is part of three family members of the former two-time governor of Bauchi State abducted by gunmen in Boto, Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi State.
A family source who does not want to be identified, said Hajiya Halimah was released yesterday morning.
However, he did not give details as to whether or not ransom was paid before the suspected kidnappers released her.
He said Hajiya Halimah would be taken to an unidentified hospital for medical treatment.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the kidnappers requested for N600 million for the release of their victims. However, the figure was brought down to N6 million as of Monday.

Two other family members of the former PDP national chairman are still in captivity.

Speaking in Boto when he accompanied Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to sympathise with the family, the commissioner of police Umar Maman Sanda said security in the state had details of the whereabouts of the suspected kidnappers, adding that his men would ensure the safe release of the victims.

Three days after this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, the gunmen invaded the family residence of Mu’azu killing his nephew Danladi Adamu and abducted his younger sister Hajiya Asma’u Mu’azu, Hajiya Halimah Abdullahi and one Nura.