Saturday, September 7, 2024 -The Edo State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Ehis Jonah, 26, in connection with the train station attack and kidnapping in Igueben, Edo Central Senatorial District.
Recall that gunmen attacked the station on January 7, 2023,
kidnapped 20 passengers and injured many others.
The spokesman of the command, SP Moses Yamu, paraded Jonah
alongside other suspects arrested for various crimes at the police headquarters
in Benin city on Friday, September 6, 2024
According to the PPRO, Jonah was
apprehended after a police surveillance patrol stopped a motorcycle conveying
him and two others on September 1, 2024.
“On 01/09/2024 at about
1300hrs, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit while
on surveillance patrol along Obedu road, Uromi upon reasonable suspicion,
stopped three (3) persons namely Christopher Lucky ‘m’ 24yrs, Kelvin Eboigbe ‘m’
24yrs and Ehis Jonah ‘m’ 26yrs riding on a Qlink Motorcycle with reg no BEN 489
VN,” he stated.
"During interrogation, one Tecno
Spark 9 handset in their possession rang, the call was placed on hands free and
the caller gave his name as Ayuba Mohammed and further stated that the owner of
the phone by name Gazali Hassan, went missing on the 31/08/2024 with his
motorcycle.
"On the strength of this
revelation, investigation was launched and findings were that the suspects
killed the said Gazali Hassan and took his motorcycle.
"Operatives mobilized to the
scene of crime, along Idumoza Pipeline in Uromi, Edo state and recovered the
corpse to Camillus Hospital Mortuary, Uromi for autopsy.
"The hammer and knife used to
commit the offence were also recovered as exhibits. The ring leader named Ehis
Jonah confessed to have met Sunday Amah, Innocent Julius and Daniel John in
Benin prison for various kidnapping cases but were allegedly discharged where
they subsequently formed a new syndicate.
"Further investigation led to
the arrest of additional seven (7) suspects namely Innocent Julius 'm' 36yrs,
Sunday Amah 'm' 37yrs, Molu Behere 'm' 32yrs, Ojeleje Amenbhagbe 'm' 25yrs,
Mohammed
Yahaya 'm' 37yrs, Daniel John 'm' 34yrs,
Okihan Lucky 'm' 40yrs and Pastor Osagie Michael 'm' 37yrs, all syndicate who
have been terrorizing Edo Central Senatorial District in crimes such as the
robbery at Osigholo filling station Igueben, deadly attack/kidnapping at
Igueben train station where they confessed to receiving a ransom of fifteen
million naira (15,000,000.00), amongst other heinous crimes.
"Investigation is ongoing with a view
to arresting the remaining members of the syndicate and recovery of their
operational weapons.
In an interview with journalists,
Jonah said he was contacted to provide logistics for the other suspects, using
his motorcycle and he made N2m as proceeds from the crime.
“I am a motorcycle rider and I was
contacted by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to take him and others to the train station
for kidnapping,” he said.
“He promised to pay me. So, I took them
there. After everything, he brought N2m for me and said that was my share of
the proceeds."
0 Comments