The Edo State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed a 29-year-old man identified as Smart Nwashiri, after collecting a N200,000 ransom to free him.
In an interview with journalists at the police command, the gang leader said they killed the victim because he knew them.
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.
The CP said the suspects conspired, kidnapped the victim, and demanded a ransom of N1 million but later collected N200,000.
They stabbed him to death and buried the body in a shallow grave.
The Police Commissioner said the corpse and motorcycle of the victim were later recovered.
He added that the suspects confessed to the crime and would be charged in court upon investigation being concluded.
