Edo State Police Search for Alleged Arms Supplier in Kidnapping Case

The Edo State Government, along with the state police, has started a search for the suspected arms supplier linked to the Benin market kidnapping.

One of the arrested suspects, Marvellous Israel, mentioned a person named Liberty as the arms supplier. He told the police that N1.5 million out of the N2.8 million ransom was meant for Liberty. Israel said that N8 million was collected as ransom for the woman’s release.

He stated, "The man who gave us the gun for the kidnapping is called Liberty. We also call him the Chief Security Officer in our area.

"The sum of N1.5 million out of the N2.8 million recovered from me, as part of the ransom payment, was meant for Liberty."

The Edo police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said they are still investigating the connection between Liberty and the kidnapping. Ikoedem also noted that other fleeing members of the kidnap gang were caught in Delta State, raising the total number of arrests to four, with one suspect killed.

She listed those arrested on June 20 as 27-year-old Gift Raphael, along with two males: Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael. Another suspect had been arrested earlier. Ikoedem confirmed that all suspects have admitted their roles in the vegetable market incident and other crimes in the state.

"I can confirm that all suspects linked to the Benin market kidnapping have been arrested, while one has been killed. The police are on the trail of the alleged arms supplier, who was identified as Liberty," Ikoedem said.

In a related development, a woman who was kidnapped with her daughter in Akoko-Edo has recognized her abductors. The kidnappers were caught when they went to the community market to buy food.

A joint team of military personnel and Edo State Security Network operatives arrested them after the woman raised the alarm. The Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Alabi Oshionogue, said the arrests show the effectiveness of current security efforts to reduce crime and restore peace in the area.

Oshionogue praised the courage and professionalism of the security operatives. He said, "The woman was able to identify her kidnappers, and they have been arrested. This will bring peace to the local government area."