Francis Ogbuagu 
…another for Kidnap
The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded 18-years-old, Adamu Usman, from Kano State for stealing artefacts from the GRA, Benin City residence of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
The Command also arrested 27-year-old, Ibrahim Yahaya for kidnapping Mr Igbinosun Evans, a leader of Ugbogui Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The duo were among five suspects paraded by the Edo State Police Command at the Police Headquarters, Benin City.
Speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Iwo, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Moses Yamu said, Adamu Usman was arrested following reports of theft of artefacts from the residence of the Esama of Benin.
He noted that artefacts worth about Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) had earlier been stolen from Esama’s house by the suspects.
SP Yamu announced that another suspect, Ibrahim Yahaya, 27 years was arrested for kidnapping Mr Igbinosun Evans, a leader of the Ugbogui community, who paid a ransom of seven million (7,000,000) before his release.
He said. “The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Iwo on the assumption of duty, gave marching orders to all DPOs and Tactical Teams Commanders to ensure the safety of all under his area of responsibility by embracing community-based policing.
In his commitment to maintaining the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the State under his stewardship, the command has recorded breakthrough in this regard:
“Following reports of theft of artefacts from the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion located at Okada Avenue, GRA Benin City, operatives of the Command on surveillance around the residence arrested one Adamu Usman ‘m’ 18yrs on 23/07/2024 at about 0130hrs while trying to steal artefacts.
“The worth of the already stolen artefacts is estimated at about Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00).
Upon interrogation, the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of another suspect named Etuk Bassey ‘m’ 36yrs who happened to be the driver who usually conveyed these stolen artefacts. The suspects have confessed to the crime while efforts to track and arrest other fleeing suspects are on.”
“On 09/07/2024 at about 0930hrs Mr Igbinosun Evans, leader of Ugbogui community was kidnapped and a ransom of seven million (7,000,000) paid for his release by the family. Upon receipt of the complaint, Operatives of the Command’s Intelligence Rapid Response Squad (CIRRS) tracked and arrested one Ibrahim Yahaya Jolly ‘m’ 27yrs. The suspect confessed to the crime and has been cooperating with the Police for the possible arrest of others at large and recovery of their arms.”
He also announced the recovery of a stolen vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4 with registration number EKY 855 JJ, from, Mustapha Suleiman,( a driver) and his friend, Isaac Joseph who came from Lagos to sell the vehicle in Benin City, but were apprehended by the police.
“On 03/09/2024 at about 1545hrs, operatives of Command’s X-Squad acting on credible information arrested the duo of Mustapha Suleiman ’m’ 27yrs and Isaac Joseph ‘m’ 25yrs in possession of a Toyota Rav 4 with registration number EKY 855 JJ, reasonably suspected to be stolen. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to having stolen the vehicle from Lagos State and were looking for a buyer to sell the vehicle.
The Lagos State Command has been contacted for take over of the case for further investigation.”
Speaking, one of the suspects, 18-years-old, Adamu Usman, said he was deceived by one of the suspects( now at large), to come to Esama’s house to steal the artefacts, but that he was arrested by some juju in Esama’s residence.
” I was deceived by the man that took me there, he did not tell me we were going to steal, but when we got there. He said I should jump the fence and when I jump the fence. I told him that if I see security, I will run away.
“When the security came, he ran away, but I was caught by juju because I became confused until the security caught me that was when I regained my consciousness,” he said.
