Three soldiers, civilian arrested over alleged serial kidnapping, robbery

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

IGP Adamu

The Edo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested three serving soldiers and a civilian over alleged kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

The arrest of the suspects came after the military personnel had been on Police Wanted List for series of kidnappings in Agenebode, Fugar and other areas in the state. 
The three military suspects are Corporal Collins Ameh 13NA/70/4960 of 3 Division, Jos, Lance Corporal Balogun Taiwo 13/NA/69/0369 of 35 Battalion, Katsina and Private Evans Isibor 15/NA/73/1529 of the Artillery Brigade, Owerri. The three soldiers were among those deployed to Maiduguri, Borno State, on special duty.
The civilian suspect, arrested along with them has been identified as Goodluck Igbenebor. 
Ameh and Balogun were alleged to have kidnapped Mr Joseph Otono on October 30, 2019, in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State and his Toyota Voltron car snatched.
The kidnapped victim was later released after a ransom was paid by his family members. 
The gang’s waterloo started after two members were arrested by the police in Ehor, headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State on their way to Lagos State, to sell the stolen car. 
The gang was also reported to have kidnapped a classroom teacher, Mrs Catherine Izuagie, in Fugar, on September 9, 2019 and released after ransom was collected.
Similarly, Private Isibor, posted to Maiduguri, capital of Bornu State to combat insurgency along with other soldiers, was said to have kidnapped Mohammed Hassan in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state on October 14, 2019. 
The soldier and his civilian accomplices now at large, were said to have also collected ransom before they released the victim.
The suspects have been identified by the victims as those who directly kidnapped and robbed them. 
The police, with the  help of high technical intelligence, are now on the trail of other gang members now on the run. Police investigators have already contacted military authorities. 
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chidi Nwabuzo, said the three soldiers and civilian are being interrogated by the Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Superintendent of Police (SP), Richard Balogun.
Nwabuno said: "I can confirm to you that three soldiers and a civilian have been arrested by the state command for kidnapping and armed robbery. They are currently being quizzed by the head of SARS, Richard Balogun.”