The authories of Edo state police command has reportedly deployed its operatives to Ogbese, Okada forests in search of kidnapped All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Mr. Presley Ediagbonya.
Blueprint gathered that the state Commissioner of Police, Jimeta Lawan, was said to have deployed the team to ensure that the political leader is rescued unhurt.
Ediagbonya, a former commissioner for youths and Sports is a campaign coordinator of a leading aspirant of the APC in the Edo state governorship poll billed for September.
The victim was a one time local government chairman and had also served as deputy Chief of Staff to the Edo State government.
He was reportedly taken hostage by gunmen at his farm last week in Ovia North East local government area of the state.
Speculation of his death in the kidnappers’ den was rife on Monday, even as it was alleged that his lifeless body has been found.
The member, representing Ovia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, joined in the fray when he expressed his condolence to the politician family.
“With a heavy heart, I received the news of the demise of Hon. Presley Ediagbonya in the hands of his kidnappers.
“My thoughts and prayers go to the members of the mmediate family of this great and illustrious son of Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo state,” Idahosa said.
However, police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, had cautioned against the victim’s death speculation.
According to him, “Speculations 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 to members of the public,” Nwabuzor said.
However, a family source who craved for annonimity on Tuesday described Ediagbonya’s death report as hasty.
According to the source, “The abductors requested for N10 million 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 abductors sent the family test message that our brother have been killed. They have not been reached since.
“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.”
