Edo Demolishes Properties Of Alleged Kidnappers, Sponsors

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the demolition of buildings connected to alleged kidnappers and cultism in the state.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, disclosed this during the demolition of a residential duplex in Benin, allegedly used for kidnapping and organ harvesting.

Itua, who spoke on behalf of the governor, revealed that the state had also sealed off the Eterno Hotel and an event centre.

Itua confirmed that the demolished property was the site of an alleged gruesome crime involving the abduction and killing of a young woman for organ harvesting.

He revealed that the suspect has been arrested in Lagos and will be transferred to the state to face prosecution.

“The building was where the crime occurred, and it is owned by the father of the suspect, who has also made useful statements to the authorities.

“His Excellency has directed that this is only the beginning. More buildings used for criminal activities will be demolished. This is backed by existing laws enacted by the present administration,” he said.

“This is not a political witch-hunt. These buildings were used for acts that contravened the laws of Edo State.

“The Governor has made it clear that anyone involved in cultism or related crimes will face the full force of the law,” he added.

The owner of the demolished building, Martins Oghenewore, recounted the shocking moment he learnt of the crime.

He said, “On the 23rd of this month while returning home, my wife called to inform me that our son had murdered a woman in his quarters.

“I immediately reported to the police, who followed me home and helped convey the corpse to the mortuary. I’ve been in police custody since then.”

Oghenewore further disclosed that his 28-year-old son had long exhibited troubling behaviour.

“I trained him from primary school through university in Ekpoma. For over a decade, he has been a problem.

“I took him to rehab, neuropsychiatric centres, and even traditional healers. He rarely slept at home, drank excessively, and was often missing.

“Now he has destroyed everything I worked for. This house was my retirement plan, and now I’m watching it being torn down. It’s heartbreaking,” he lamented.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect was apprehended in Lagos with human body parts recovered from him.

Investigations are said to be ongoing as the government vows to intensify efforts to stamp out kidnapping and cultism from the state.

Edo Demolishes Properties Of Alleged Kidnappers, Sponsors is first published on The Whistler Newspaper