Edo state police command has arrested two suspected kidnappers in Edo, Benin City over indulging in criminal activities and abduction of a 31-year-old man, Albert Igbinomwanhia.
The suspected kidnappers Joel Emazor, 31, and Philip Robert 30 are known for their engagement in illicit activities and also belonging to a syndicate specializing in abducting innocent persons in Benin City.
Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson of the command narrated the suspects were arrested on March 30 acting on credible intelligence by the command’s intelligence Rapid response squad.
However, according to the command spokesperson, the suspect are paraded on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
The PPRO stated, the suspects kidnapped the victim and held him captive for 5 days in their custody with the collaboration of two others, Ossai and Eguavon but later set him free after collecting N5.1 million ransom from the victim’s parents.
“On March 6, the suspects and two others Ossai and Eguavon, whose surnames are unknown kidnapped one Albert Igbinomwanhia from Igbinedion Avenue, G.R.A, Benin City to Agbor Road Bye pass axis near Okhuahe River in a Lexus jeep RX 330 with registration number RBC 18 DC and held him hostage inside a pit for five days,” he stated.
“The kidnappers demanded N14 million ransom from his family members and the victim was released to his family after they paid N5.1 million
“After collecting the ransom and releasing their victim, the suspects kept calling the victim and his parents that the N14 million must be completed or they will still kidnap the victim another time, which made the parents petition the commissioner of police
“The suspects were arrested at their hideout and they have made statements and confessed to the crime. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects who are at large,” said the PPRO
The police spokesperson, Nwabuzor assured to work with other security agencies in other to curb criminal activities and also ensure to track down all criminal elements in the state.