1st April, 2011
Twelve suspected kidnappers operating in Edo State and its environs have been arrested by officials of the State Security Service, SSS.
The State Director of the SSS, Mr. Bello Bakori, who revealed this yesterday at a press briefing, described the arrest of the suspects as a major breakthrough in the fight against crime in the state.
He also attributed the arrest to the cooperation received from members of the public.
The suspected kidnappers were alleged to have abducted a medical doctor at Auchi, a few weeks ago and kept him in a hideout at Iguebe.
They demanded and collected a ransom of N4 million from the relations of the victim before he was released. The abduction led to a strike by medical workers in Edo State.
The SSS boss disclosed that one of the suspects, Stanle Iriogbe, a computer engineer, served as the link between the group and the victim’s family.
Before the victim was kidnapped, Iriogbe monitored his movement and reported back to members of the gang.
The SSS said another gang of four was arrested for extortion. The gang was led by a man identified as Larry. The gang allegedly extorted N1.8 million and 30,000 dollars from Mallam Jubril. “They shared the loot at N750,000 each. But when they demanded more money, the family called the SSS,” he added.
One of the suspects, Daniel Menahein, it was gathered, rented an apartment at Ekewam area of Benin City where the gang kept their victim until the ransom was paid.
A director of SSS, Mr. Tukur, disclosed that the agency has successfully prosecuted two cases in which an accused, Afolayan Olayinka, was sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
—Yomi Obaditan, Benin City