Kidnapping: Edo begins manhunt for alleged arms supplier

The Edo State Government, in conjunction with the state police command, has begun a manhunt for the suspected supplier of arms to the masterminds of the Benin market kidnapping incident.

One of the suspects arrested by the police, Marvellous Israel, had mentioned one Liberty as the arms supplier.

Israel told the police that N1.5m out of the N2.8m ransom payment was meant for Liberty, noting that N8m was collected as ransom for the woman’s release.

He said, “The man who gave us the gun for the kidnapping is called Liberty. We also call him the Chief Security Officer in our area.

“The sum of N1.5m out of the N2.8m recovered from me, as part of the ransom payment, was meant for Liberty.”

However, the Edo police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the case linking Liberty to the kidnapping operations was still under investigation.

Ikoedem said other fleeing members of the kidnap gang had been arrested in Delta State, bringing the number of those arrested to four, while one was killed.

She listed those arrested on June 20 to include 27-year-old Gift Raphael and two males: Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael, while another person had earlier been arrested.

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Ikoedem said all suspects had made confessional statements linking them to the vegetable market incident and other criminal operations within the state.

“I can confirm that all suspects linked to the Benin market kidnapping have been arrested, while one has been killed. The police are on the trail of the alleged arms supplier, who was identified as Liberty,” Ikoedem said.

Meanwhile, a woman who was abducted alongside her daughter in the Akoko-Edo local government area has identified her kidnappers.

Her kidnappers were identified when they went to the community market to buy foodstuffs.

They were subsequently arrested by a joint team of military personnel and operatives of the Edo State Security Network after the woman raised the alarm.

Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Alabi Oshionogue, said the arrest reflected the effectiveness of ongoing security measures aimed at curbing criminal activities and restoring peace across the local government area.

Oshionogue commended the bravery, professionalism, and gallantry of the security operatives.

He said, “The woman was able to identify her kidnappers, and they have been arrested. This will bring peace to the local government area.”