Metro
Kidnappers narrate how they collected N10m ransom in Edo
Two suspected kidnappers, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, have confessed to collecting N10 million ransom from their last operation before they were arrested.
The suspects confessed on Wednesday while identifying houses where they kept their victims.
Speaking to journalists in Benin, Uchenna and Ebama, who are part of a seven-man gang, admitted to being involved in several kidnapping cases in Edo Central.
Uchenna revealed that their last victim was targeted because of the luxury car he drove. He said the victim was kidnapped alongside a lady, and both were released after paying N10 million ransom.
Uchenna said, “The last operation we did fetched us N10 million ransom. We abducted a man who drove flashy cars, and he was with a lady. They were both kidnapped.
“We are here to identify the house where we keep our victims. We have been involved in several kidnapping operations.”
In a move to tackle crime in the state, the state government on Wednesday began the demolition of houses linked to kidnappers.
The demolition took place in Illeh, Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Akhere Paul, who led the operation, said the action was in line with the anti-kidnapping law recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He said, “This house has been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and dangerous weapons were recovered by the police during a raid.
“According to the new law, any house found to be used for kidnapping activities will be demolished. This will serve as a warning to others.”
Akhere advised landlords to properly profile their tenants before renting out their properties.
He added, “Go to the police station to help you verify the identity of any new tenant. You must know who they are, where they work, and what they do to avoid situations like this.”
He assured the people that the demolition exercise would continue as part of Governor Okpebholo’s effort to rid the state of criminals.
Also speaking, the Commander of the Special Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, said the exercise would discourage others from engaging in kidnapping.
Anetor urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police or members of the task force, adding that a safer Edo is everyone’s responsibility.
No fewer than 14 traders from Isi Gate Market lost their lives on Saturday while returning from Enugu State, where they had attended a traditional marriage ceremony.
The accident occurred at about 6:45 PM along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The victims, who conduct their businesses along Bonny Street by Owerri Road, Umuahia, had traveled to Enugu to attend the marriage of one of their fellow traders.
On their way back, tragedy struck when the Toyota Coaster bus they were riding collided with a Mercedes truck, resulting in the immediate death of eleven passengers. Three more passengers later died from injuries sustained in the accident, while several others remain in critical condition.
The accident was confirmed by the Enugu State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Franklin Agbakoba.
The trading base of the late traders, the area was calm and largely deserted, as many traders had closed their shops in sympathy for their deceased colleagues.
A few traders who came out were seen shedding tears over the tragic deaths of their friends and fellow traders.
Armed bandits have killed six persons in Tungan-Makeri and set a police station ablaze in the nearby Konkoso district, both in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Police authorities in Niger State said the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m on Saturday when armed men invaded Tunga-Makeri village through Shafachi District in Borgu LGA.
The police spokesman in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said that several houses were set ablaze by the assailants. According to him, an unspecified number of residents were abducted in the course of the attack.
The attack on Tungan Makeri reportedly began on Friday, when over 200 armed men stormed the village, shooting sporadically and setting several houses on fire.
Residents claim the assailants operated for hours, leaving six people dead and many others displaced.
An eyewitness from Zagatina village, along the attackers’ route, said he counted dozens of motorcycles conveying the armed men.
“They passed through my village, and I counted about 41 motorcycles, with two or three persons on each, including women and children on some,” the resident said.
“I quickly hid myself in the bush when I noticed them coming because they passed through the back of my house.”
Following the assault on Tungan Makeri, the bandits were said to have moved into Konkoso on Saturday morning, where they reportedly operated without a visible security presence.
Residents described Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as major towns in Borgu LGA, heightening concerns over the attackers’ growing boldness.
There were also reports that an Air Force aircraft was sighted around Tungan Makeri after the initial attack, a development some residents believe forced the bandits to withdraw from the village.
Meanwhile, joint security teams have been mobilised to the affected communities for on-the-spot assessment, while efforts to rescue the abducted victims and restore normalcy are ongoing.
The incident has once again raised concerns over security in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents calling for urgent reinforcement to prevent further attacks.
The Edo State Police Command has vowed to rescue the police officer kidnapped alongside his daughter on February 8 unhurt.
The Command also assured that two other victims abducted in Makeke in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state on the same day would also be rescued.
The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who stated this after briefing journalists at the State Command in Benin, however, said the rescue efforts cannot be made public.
He said, “Rescue efforts are ongoing and we will not be able to tell you the details but like in other cases, technology has been deployed to secure his release and that of his daughter.
“Those that were also kidnapped in Makeke will also be rescued.”
He, therefore, called on the public to report any unmanned checkpoint, stating that officers who are supposed to be there would be dealt with.
Speaking on some of the results the Command’s effort has yielded from January in the fight against crime, the CP said that 13 suspected murder suspects, 14 suspected armed robbers, 15 suspected cultists and 87 suspected kidnappers have been apprehended and were in custody.
He stated 30 kidnapped victims were also rescued unhurt, noting the command recovered six stolen vehicles, three stolen motorcycles, and 39 stolen phones.
He added, “We have also dealt a major blow to the instruments of violence. A total cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered,
“We acknowledge that each weapon recovered is a life potentially saved. Each suspect arrested is a criminal network disrupted.
“I must profoundly acknowledge the support of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun for approving the deployment of police helicopter, other tactical intelligence support and guidance.
“Also, I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo the Executive Governor of Edo State, whose magnanimous donation of a squadron of drones and other logistic support has significantly enhanced our operational capacity.
“Let me be clear that Edo State is totally out of bounds to criminals.
No forest will be too thick to overcome, no hideout too remote and no network too fortified to break.
“As we approach the Valentine season, a period dedicated to love, unity, and togetherness, I urge all residents to celebrate responsibly. Let this season of love be one of peace, not recklessness. While you celebrate with your families and loved ones, remain security conscious. “
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