Edo: Police comb forest for kidnapped APC chieftain

The Edo police commissioner, Lawan Jimeta, has reportedly deployed its operatives to Ogbese, Okada forests in search of kidnapped chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Presley Ediagbonya.

He was said to have been killed by his abductors on Monday even as it was alleged that his lifeless body has been found.

But a family source who spoke on the condition of anonymity described Ediagbonya’s death report as hasty, as they have not been able to find his corpse.

According to the source, “The abductors demanded for N10 ransom and we (family) pleaded for N5 million.

 “The abductors thereafter asked us to pay the ransom at a location in Asaba, Delta State; and we complied.”

”Few hours later, the kidnappers sent the family a test message that our brother have been killed. They have not been reached since and we have not found the body.

“So, what I am saying is that the abductors only claimed they have killed my brother,. And by the grace of God, I know he (Ediagbonya) will come out alive,” he said.

Ediagbonya, a former commissioner for youths and Sports was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen at his farm last week in Ovia North East local government of the State.

The member, representing Ovia Federal Constituency at the House of representatives, Dennis Idahosa, joined in the fray when he expressed his condolence to the politician’s family.

“With a heavy heart, I received the news of the demise of Hon. Presley Ediagbonya in the hands of his kidnappers.

However, police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor had cautioned against the victim’s death speculation.

“Speculation on the death is still sketchy because I am yet to be briefed. When I am briefed, I will come up with a detailed statement,” he said.  (Daily Trust)