Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
Edo State Government on Wednesday said it demolished a property belonging to an Italian-based woman over his brother’s alleged involvement in kidnapping activities in the State.
The property located on College road, Aduwawa, Benin City was demolished by the Edo State taskforce on Anti-kidnapping.
The Task Force who alleged that the building was linked to a notorious kidnapping gang, added that it belonged to a woman whose younger brother, Osamede Asemota, is a key leader of the gang.
It said the suspect who was arrested by the operatives of the taskforce, however, confessed to his involvement in kidnapping activities.
The Taskforce said, the suspect confessed that his last mission earned him N350,000.
He also confessed to kidnapping a woman from her store at Ramat Park, and took her to a bush area along Agbor Road.
It added that the five-gang members had been responsible for several kidnappings in the Aduwawa, Eyean, and Auchi Bypass axis of Benin City.
It explained that the sister of the suspect who owns the demolished property, is unaware of her brother’s activities as she resides abroad
On interrogation, the suspect regretted his action that led to the demolition of his sister’s property.
“We kidnapped the woman in her shop at Ramat Park and took her to the bush around Agbor Park. I was with her in the bush for two days while my share of the ransom money was later brought to me by my friends.
“We sometimes meet at this compound to plan and carry out our activities. The house belongs to my sister, who lives in Italy. I stay alone here, and I feel very sad and confused about this development.
“I don’t know how she will feel about hearing this because she has been supportive of me, sending me money and other things. I feel really bad that I had to involve her property this way,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the taskforce also disclosed the arrest of one Michael Tare from Delta State for alleged kidnapping.
It said the suspect also confessed to have received the sum of N1 million as his share of a ransom from kidnapping.
It stated that the suspect said he returned to Benin City due to greed which led to his arrest.
The taskforce disclosed that the kidnap gang had demanded a ransom of N8 million from their victim and later demanded an additional N3 million, threatening to kidnap her again if she refused to pay.
