8 suspected kidnappers in police net
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Thurday, June 24, 2010


• Onovo
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Eight suspected kidnappers are currently cooling their heels at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command. According to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji, the kidnappers were arrested between the 17th and 18th of this month.

The arrest is coming few days after traditional worshippers including herbalists, voodoo priests, native doctors and others placed curses on kidnappers and their accomplices as well as other criminals in the state as directed by the Benin monarch.

But Kachi Udeoji, who briefed journalists on the recent successes by his command, did not attribute the breakthrough recorded to the action of the traditionalist. He said the command acted on tip-off and information provided by an individual which led to the arrest of 10 suspects but two died as a result of engagement with the police.

According to him, two AK49 rifles with 46 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects, who were paraded before newsmen. He said the suspects confessed to have kidnapped Major General Ademokhai (retd) who parted with N10 million ransom, Pastor Samuel Osaghae, who coughed out N12 million ransom, one Osadebe, who paid N3 million and Mr. Ogiegor, who paid N2 million.

Some of the suspects admitted committing the crime but claimed that they were militants who had since embraced the Federal Government’s amnesty programme and blamed the government for not fulfilling its promise, which they said led them to the crime.