The suspects, in collaboration with two others who are still at large, kidnapped the victim on March 6 at Igbinedion Avenue, GRA, Benin City. They held him captive in a hideout for five days and released him after collecting N5.1 million ransom from his parents.
The police spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, said that the kidnappers took the victim to Agbor Road Bye-Pass axis, near Okhuahe River, in a Lexus Jeep RX 330, with registration number RBC 18 DC. They held him hostage inside a burrow pit and demanded N14 million ransom from his family members.
After the family paid N5.1 million ransom, the victim was released to them. However, the suspects continued to threaten the victim and his parents, insisting that the remaining N14 million ransom must be paid or they would kidnap the victim again.
The repeated threats led the victim's family to petition the state Commissioner of Police. The suspects were arrested from their hideout, and they have made statements confessing to the crime. The police are making efforts to apprehend the other two suspects, who are still at large.
Kidnapping for ransom has become rampant in Nigeria, with cases reported almost on a daily basis. It is a lucrative business for kidnappers who exploit the vulnerability of their victims, often demanding huge sums of money from their families. The Nigerian police have been making efforts to curb the trend, but it remains a challenge due to the sophisticated nature of the crime.
The arrest of the suspects in Edo State is a welcome development and sends a strong message to other criminals that they will be caught and brought to justice. The police must intensify their efforts in arresting the other suspects, and the judicial system must ensure that the arrested suspects face the full wrath of the law.
It is also important for the government to take proactive measures to address the root causes of kidnapping in the country, such as poverty and unemployment, which are major drivers of crime.
In addition, there is a need for improved security measures, such as the deployment of more police personnel and the use of technology in tracking and monitoring criminals. The government must also prioritize the welfare of security operatives and equip them adequately to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
Meanwhile, the victim of the Edo State kidnapping, Albert Igbinomwanhia, has been reunited with his family. His ordeal is a reminder of the dangers that citizens face in their daily lives and the need for everyone to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling prey to kidnappers and other criminals.