The Edo State Government has dismissed suggestions of a political motive following the abduction of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District.

According to a report by Legit.ng, Iduoriyekemwen was reportedly kidnapped from his residence in the Amagba area of Benin City during the early hours of Tuesday. His whereabouts remained unknown as of the time of filing this report, while security agencies were said to be working to secure his release.

The incident sparked speculation over whether the elderly man’s abduction could be connected to his son’s political activities, given the latter’s candidacy for the Edo South senatorial seat.

However, according to Legit.ng, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, rejected such suggestions while condemning the incident. He said Governor Monday Okpebholo had directed security agencies to coordinate efforts towards rescuing the victim.

Afegbua also cited the state’s recent efforts to combat kidnapping, including death sentences handed to four convicted kidnappers by a special court handling kidnapping cases. He urged anyone with information that could assist in locating Iduoriyekemwen to promptly alert security agencies, stressing the government’s commitment to protecting residents irrespective of their political affiliations.