Mr. Victor Igbinovia, driver to Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Edoror, is yet to be seen four years after he was abducted alongside his boss.
Igbinoba was abducted on February 3rd, 2013 alongside the lawmaker by eight armed men at Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
As at the time, Hon Edoror, the member representing Esan Central Local Government Area, was a first-time lawmaker and elected Deputy Speaker.
Edoror was released two weeks later but his driver was not released.
The family of Mr Igbinovia on Friday protested the alleged lack of action of Hon Edoror on their missing son and security operatives in the state.
A spokesperson for the family, Pastor Adesuwa Igunbor, urged security agencies to call Hon Edoror in for questioning on the whereabouts of their son.
According to her, “My brother (Victor Igbinovia) was at home in Benin City on February 2, 2013, when he received a call from his boss (Victor Edoror) to the effect that he should come and carry him to Irrua in Edo Central Senatorial District.
“After the call, my brother told his wife that he would return the next day being February 3 and afterwards embarked on the journey.
“When his wife called him the next day, he told her that he was on his way back to Benin City and that she should prepare rice for him.”
Pastor Igunbor stated that they were informed about the kidnapping at the Assembly complex two days after their son did not return home.
She said the family was happy when they heard about the release of Edoror only to be told that the kidnappers were still holding his driver.
Mrs. Igunbor further explained that the family members afterwards engaged the lawmaker on the fate of their brother during which he told them that both of them were taken to separate locations by the gunmen.
“Edoror further told us that the hoodlums only gave him a mobile phone when he was released and told him that they (hoodlums) will call him.
“Edoror nonetheless told us that we should be patient adding that he suspects the kidnappers were holding the driver hostage because they may want to demand another ransom.
“Days after, the family members decided to visit Edoror at his official residence to inquire if there is any news from the kidnappers.
“We were however taken aback when he claimed that he has dropped the said phone at the police station and that we should go to the police.
“Irked by his (lawmaker) grandstanding, I was now on top of my voice at his residence and move to grip him, Edoror called-in his security details who in turn drove us away.”
Wife of the missing driver, Felicia, said the family has suffered untold hardship since her husband went missing.
She urged security agencies to investigate the matter properly.
When contacted for reaction on the telephone, Edoror said he was on a journey, adding that the matter was already before the police.