Residents of Imoga Community in Akoko Edo Local Government have arrested a kidnap kingpin, Ismaila Ibrahim, who was identified by one of his escaped victims, Mallam Jamilu, a cow dealer at Ibillo.
National Coordinator, Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo people, Dr Bode Ekundayo, who disclosed this in a voice note on Monday, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday, and one other person has also been arrested after he made a confessional statement.
“A kidnapper was caught in our community, and he is one of the well-known Fulani settlers in the forest. He has admitted committing the crime, but vowed not to mention his gang members.
“He is one of the kidnap kingpins in the vast forest of Imoga, whose activities spread across Akoko Edo. He was caught by youths, vigilantes, and hunters,” he said.
Ekundayo said that the suspect led a gang of kidnappers to abduct a customer who had gone to their camp to purchase a cow and demanded N10 million ransom.
He stated that the family of the victim was able to raise N6 million, but the victim was able to escape after the kidnappers discovered he had recognised them.
He said the victim, who had escaped into the bush, raised an alarm, and the nearby community responded immediately, leading to the arrest of the suspect, who was handed over to the Ibilo Police Division.
He added, “The suspect confessed to the crime, and I understand he has been taken to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
“We are going to follow up on this case so that this deadly kidnapper will not be released to wreak more harm on our community.
The PPRO of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the arrest of the suspect.
She said the suspect has already been transferred to the state headquarters, where further investigation is underway.
She said that the suspect could still be arraigned after a thorough investigation, while a manhunt would still be launched for his gang members.
She said, “I can confirm to you that the suspect has been arrested and transferred to the state headquarters, where an investigation has been instituted.”
