2nd October, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The police in Benin on Friday disclosed that Dr. Paul Erie, an Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who was kidnapped from his country home in Igbanke village in Orhionmwon local government area, on 16 June, 2015, was killed by his abductors.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer of Edo State Police Command, DSP Stephen Onwochei and made available to journalists in Benin.
The Command also disclosed that five of the eight suspected kidnappers who abducted and killed the late Associate Professor have been arrested by the special anti kidnapping squad of Edo State Police Command.
Names of the suspects were given as Awulu Samson a.k.a Sasek, Lucky Owuadegbe, Jeremiah Amayo, Chucks Edobor and Stephen Usiagwu.
“Investigation and interrogation of the suspects yielded positive results as on of the suspects confessed to the. Kidnapping and murder of Prof. Paul A. Erie. He volunteered and led Police pathologist, Forensic experts, detectives, family members and the press to a bush at Igbanke village on the 1st of October, 2015 at about 1130 hrs where a shallow grave was identified and successful exhumation of the suspected remains of Prof. Paul A. Erie was carried out.
“Items recovered from the grave and scene of the act were consistent and suggestive that the remains are indeed that of Dr. Erie who was also identified by family members,” the statement said, adding that three of the eight suspected kidnappers are on the run.
It was gathered that the suspected kidnappers went ahead to demand and collect unspecified amount of money from family members of the late Professor even after his death in their custody.
Meanwhile, the State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the dead lecturer and authorities of AAU, Ekpoma over the death of the lecturer.
Ezike assured that the Command would continue to make strategic interventions that will enhance safety and security of lives and properties of the people of the state.