Police arrest kidnappers who murdered a victim after collecting a N200,000 ransom. Get the latest updates on this shocking crime and justice served.
The Edo State Police Command has apprehended five individuals suspected of kidnapping and subsequently murdering Smart Nwashiri, a 29-year-old victim who was held for ransom. The suspects are believed to have accepted a payment of N200,000 in exchange for the release of their hostage.
Funsho Adegboye, the Commissioner of Police in Benin City, made this announcement when he presented the suspects before journalists.
The suspects named by Adegboye were Goodluck Ojieh, aged 37 and the leader of the gang, Lucky Enagbonmien also aged 37. Additionally, Victory Okoro is a suspect who is 32 years old while Sunday Ernest and Daniel Udi are both aged 32 and have been implicated in the case.
According to him, the crime was perpetrated by the suspects in Ologbo community located within Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and near Benin City.
The newsmen were informed by the commissioner that the culprits, originally from Delta State but living in Edo State, tricked the victim into visiting their hideout under false claims of selling vehicle components.
After a thorough investigation, he stated that the suspects were traced and apprehended in Delta State.
On June 17, 2024, the gang leader enticed their victim to a spot in Ologbo where the remaining members of the gang were present. They used trickery by posing as sellers of a vehicle catalyst commonly known as “Indomie” to lure him there.
According to him, the victim has been repeatedly receiving not only this item but also other stolen items from the suspects.
The suspects colluded, abducted the victim and requested a ransom of N1 million. However, they only received N200,000 before utilizing a dagger to murder him as reported by the CP.
In an attempt to conceal their wrongdoing, they eventually interred the victim in a rudimentary grave that was not very deep, as he further explained.
The motorcycle and corpse of the victim who was killed have been found, according to Adegboye.
He stated that the suspects have admitted to committing the crime and informed that they will face legal proceedings once investigation wraps up.
During an interview with reporters, the leader of the gang disclosed that they opted to eliminate their victim in order to evade identification as he recognized them.
