The circumstance leading to the abduction of the Managing Director of Ogba Nature Park, Benin, Dr. Andy Ehanire; killing of three policemen in the process and collection of N61m as ransom emerged yesterday.
This is as the 4th Brigade Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed that its19 Battalion had arrested three suspected kidnappers and 27 suspected cultists in Edo and Delta states
One of the four suspects arrested in connection with the Ehanire incident, disclosed this in Benin City, Edo State shortly after they were arrested in Sapele, Delta State and other communities in Edo.
On September 24, Dr. Ehanire, younger brother to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, was kidnapped by some gunmen who also killed three mobile policemen.
Narrating how Dr. Ehanire was abducted, one of the suspected kidnappers whose recording at the police station has gone viral said they earlier attempted to carry out the abduction twice but were prevented by the presence of policemen.
The suspect said it was at the third attempt they were forced to shoot the three policemen and took their target away through the water ways.
He said they attempted to burn the vehicle they used but there was no matches to ignite a fire.
He confessed that they (kidnappers) collected and initial ransom of N25m and another $100,000 before Dr. Ehanire was released.
It was also gathered that during the process of arrest, the sum of N800,000 was said to have been recovered from the wife of one of the suspects.
Confirming the arrest, Edo Police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkomba, said efforts were on to arrest other fleeing suspects.
On the arrest of other kidnappers and cultists, the Brigade said the arrests was made possible because of the use of swamp buggies it deployed to enable it destroy illegal bunkering camps within its area of operation.
A statement issued by its spokesman, Captain Mohammed Maidawa said the suspected kidnappers whose names were given as Emomotimi Thomas (30), Mebi Blas’s a.k.a Producer and Smart Yebu were arrested at MT Palace Hotel, off Airport Road, Warri while holding a secret meeting.
The statement said the suspected cultists including four females were nabbed at a hill top joint in Benin City where they gathered before carrying out their nefarious activities. (Thisday)