Edo State Government has demolished a building allegedly owned by a suspected kidnap kingpin in Obagie-N’Evbuosa Community, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, as part of its crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The demolition was carried out by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside security agencies and the Edo State Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists.
The squad’s spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, said the building had been identified as a hideout where kidnapped victims were kept before being moved to other locations.
According to Idemudia, the property belongs to the alleged leader of a kidnapping syndicate operating in the area identified as Solomon Johnson.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old suspect, Solomon Johnson, who identified himself as a bricklayer from Delta State, admitted during interrogation that he worked for an alleged gang leader identified simply as Efe.
Johnson claimed his role was to sell stolen items, including phones, laptops and other belongings taken from victims and he is paid a commission.
Idemudia further disclosed that the government would soon invite Okaigheles across the state to Government House for profiling and community security.