By Osahon Osahon
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old member of the State Vigilante group, Evans Osariemen, for allegedly conspiring to kidnap a couple, Sunday Onofua and his wife Patience.
Also arrested for the same alleged offense are 29-year-old Bright Emumwen, and one Chukwudi Anyawu (49), who allegedly supplied live cartridges to the Kidnap suspects.
The State Police Command spokesman, SP Kontongs Bello, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspects were busted through robust community policing partnership, at Okpagha community, off Benin-Auchi road, Benin city.
The statement disclosed that the two suspects approached one John Emma (not real name), to join them in the plans to kidnap the targeted victims.
John however contacted the son of the target victim who, immediately alerted the local vigilante and the Anti-Kidnapping and Cybe Crime Unit of the Command.
“The team swiftly swung into action and arrested the suspects in their criminal hideout.
“During investigation, one Chukwudi Anyawu (49) a vigilantee member who specialize in supplying the suspects with cartridges for criminal activities was arrested.
“Investigation further revealed that the suspects are working closely with some kidnappers operating around the Benin Bypass,” the statement said.
Items recovered from the suspects include one single English-made barrel gun and eight rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the suspect.
The Edo Police spokesman disclosed that investigation is still ongoing with the aim of arresting other collaborators.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Philip Aliyu Ogbadu, has directed that the suspects be charged to court.
Ogbadu who restated his commitment not to allow kidnappers and criminal elements operate in the state, advised communities to assist the police in identifying criminal vigilante members who hide under the guise of being a member of vigilente groups to carry out their criminal activities.
