The Edo State Government has demolished a building allegedly owned by a suspected kidnap kingpin in Obagie-N’Evbuosa Community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
The principal security officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside security agencies and the Edo State Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, reportedly carried out the demolition.
The squad’s spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, said the building had been identified as a hideout where kidnapping victims were allegedly kept before being moved to other locations.
“We are here to demolish this building identified as a den where kidnappers keep their victims. It served as a hideout before they were moved elsewhere,” he stated.
Idemudia gave the name of the suspect as Solomon Johnson, from Delta State, saying he is currently in police custody.
The squad’s spokesperson alleged that the suspect and his gang had terrorised residents of Obagie-N’Evbuosa and recently demanded an N11 million ransom for the release of a kidnapped victim. He further said the gang allegedly planned to abduct the victim’s wife before security operatives arrested him.
Idemudia said the demolition was intended to serve as a warning to others involved in criminal activities.
While expressing the position that many of the suspected kidnappers operating in Edo state were non-indigenes, he alleged that they often received support from local collaborators.
Idemudia further disclosed that the government would soon invite Okaigheles (community heads) across the state to Government House for discussions on resident profiling and community security.
He said community leaders would be expected to know those moving into their communities and work closely with the government and security agencies to prevent crime.
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old suspect, Solomon Johnson, who identified himself as a bricklayer from Delta State, admitted during interrogation that he worked for an alleged gang leader identified simply as Efe.
Johnson claimed his role was to sell stolen items, including phones, laptops and other belongings allegedly taken from kidnapping victims.
He added that he was paid commissions from the proceeds, sometimes earning as much as N50,000 from a single sale.
Police investigations into the case are ongoing.