The Edo State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers who allegedly k!lled a 29-year-old man identified as Smart Nwashiri, after collecting N200,000 ransom.
The Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, who disclosed this to newsmen said the suspects as Goodluck Ojieh, 37, (gang leader), Lucky Enagbonmien, 37, Victory Okoro, 32, Sunday Ernest, 32, and Daniel Udi, 29, committed the crime in Ologbo community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, near Benin City.
According to the CP, the suspects who hail from Delta State but reside in Edo State, lured the victim into their hideout on the pretence of selling vehicle parts to him.
“The victim was lured on June 17, 2024, by the gang leader to a location at the Ologbo area where the other gang members were waiting, on the pretext that they wanted to sell a vehicle catalyst (aka “Indomie”) to him. The victim has been a serial receiver of this item and other stolen items from the suspects,” he said.
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The CP said the suspects conspired, kidnapped the victim, and demanded a ransom of N1 million but later collected N200,000.
They used a dagger to k!ll him and buried the body in a shallow grave.
The commissioner said the corpse and motorcycle of the victim have been recovered.
He added that the suspects have confessed to the crime and would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
In an interview with journalists, the gang leader said they k!lled the victim because he knew them.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
