The Edo State Police Command in Nigeria has detained 31-year-old Joel Emazor and 30-year-old Philip Roberts in connection with the kidnapping of one Albert Igbinomwanhia in the state.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who paraded the suspects on Wednesday, the command’s intelligence Quick Response Unit apprehended the suspects on March 30 while acting on trustworthy intelligence.
He claimed that the suspects, who were now on the run along with Ossai and Eguavon, kidnapped the victim and held him for five days in their hideout before releasing him after receiving N5.1 million in ransom from his parents.
According to Nwabuzor, on March 6, the suspects and two others, Ossai and Eguavon, whose last names are unknown, abducted Albert Igbinomwanhia from Igbinedion Avenue, G.R.A., Benin City to the Agbor Road bypass axis close to the Okhuahe River and held him prisoner within a trench for five days.
The victim’s family members were asked to pay a ransom of N5.1 million after the kidnappers sought N14 million from them.
“After receiving the ransom and releasing their victim, the suspects continued to call the victim and his parent, threatening to abduct the boy once more until the N14 million was paid. This prompted the father to petition the Commissioner of Police.” Nwabuzor stated.
The suspects were apprehended at their hiding place, and after being questioned, they confessed to the crime. The Police added that arresting the remaining individuals on the run is still a priority.
The State Police PRO also gave the assurance that working with other sister agencies, the command is prepared to root out all criminal elements in the state.