One of the syndicate members that allegedly kidnapped and killed the United States-based Nigerian, Chief Dennis Abuda, has been arrested by men of the Edo state police command.
The suspect was arrested during a police raid of some kidnap blackspots in Ahor forest on the Benin city Bypass in Edo state.
According to Standard Gazette crime correspondent FESTUS ALENKHE who monitored the raid said the police combed the entire forest up to Utekon community in the locality.
The 23 years old suspect, Ibrahim Adamu, who is from Yobe state, was severely wounded during the police raid of the forest in Ahor near Benin city.
The suspect who belonged to a violent kidnapping gang had barricaded the Benin Bypass’s Lagos end with a trailer lorry where they kidnapped some innocent travellers.
The late chief Dennis Abuda and three others were travelling through the Bypass to Lagos from Fugar in Edo state around 10:30 a.m on Saturday 30 January 2021 when they rammed into the barricade.
Upon sighting their sienna car, the hoodlums opened fire, forcing the driver to stop.
The said Chief Dennis Abuda, who was on his way to Lagos to catch his flight to the United States of America was kidnapped with three other car occupants.
Chief Abuda who could not walk deep into the forest due to extreme exhaustion was shot dead on the spot by the vicious and ravaging gunmen.
Similarly, the suspected syndicate then went further to attack another set of travellers.
One of the female victims was raped as pants, bra, female shoes, and other personal items were found in the forest during the raid.
Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire.
But one of the suspects, Ibrahim Adamu, was shot by the police as others escaped.
At the point of arrest, police discovered a wedding ring belonging to one of the victims being worn by a suspect.
In an interview, the suspect said: ” my friend in Yobe encouraged me to come to Benin for a job, but he later gave me a gun to kidnap.
The suspect also explained how he got the wedding ring, saying “because the ring is gold, it was given to me as part of my share”.
When asked if he regretted his actions, he said:” l knew that one day, it would end and l have no regret”.
Edo state police public relations officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said, adequate security measures have been put in place in Edo state to bring down criminal elements.
According to him” our men will continue to comb and raid the various blackspots in all the highways linking Edo state”.
The suspect was badly injured during the gun duel, and the chances of survival were very slim.