P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects were identified as Christopher Aiyegbeni, 29, Matthew Osayande, 32, Uyi Destiny, 27, Bankole Faz, 35,and Ayemen Okojie, 32.
Some of the items recovered from them included, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, and two pump-action guns with its cartridges.
They were arrested on Friday, 16th December, 2022, by the Operatives from Ekiadolor Divisional Police Headquarters, Benin City.
This was disclosed by the Edo State Police Public Relations officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed that the suspects were in Police custody undergoing interrogation over their criminal conduct.
He explained that the arrest of the suspects were made possible following a complaint made by a patriotic citizen of the State, that at about 6am of said date, a group of five men suspected to be kidnappers, heavily armed with guns and other dangerous weapons invaded Ogoja Camp, also known as, Ford Oga Camp, with the intention to kidnap one of the heads of the camp.
The suspects were said to have shot sporadically into the air, but as luck ran against them, they were arrested by the Police with the help of community members, and the Vigilante group from Kamafua- ii community in Uhunmwode Local Government area, Edo State.
The Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Mohammed A. Dankwara, while commending the bravery of the operatives, the community and the Vigilante group in arresting the kidnappers, reiterated the Command’s readiness to respond to distress calls to bringing situations to a halt.
The Police boss equally warned criminals to leave the state or face the stiffness of the law when caught and enjoined the good citizens of Edo State to be vigilant and join the Command’s campaign against criminals and their activities in the state, especially during the Yuletide Season. He encouraged them to imbibe the attitude of “see something, say something” in order to expose and bring the activities of criminals to an end.
CP Dankwara said that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the alleged offence but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.