The Edo State Police have apprehended a notorious kidnapping kingpin believed to have been involved in a series of bloody kidnappings in the Niger Delta region.
The 25-year-old suspect, known as Dogo, had been declared wanted by the police force prior to his arrest near Benin City.
Dogo was allegedly the leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that had killed several policemen during their recent operations in the region. He was apprehended at Ahor Community near Benin City, where he emerged from a bush carrying a bag that reportedly contained items belonging to one of his victims.
The arrest was made following a reliable intelligence report received by detectives at the Egba Police Station in the Uhunmwonde local government area. The Edo State Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, noted that Dogo had been on the Command’s wanted list for some time.
Items recovered from the suspect included various ATM cards from local and foreign banks, a foreign driving license, a British residence permit, foreign cards with the names Mr. Afam Ogbu and Mrs. Ogbu Mary Theresa, passport photographs of a white lady, as well as photographs of three young black men. Other seized items included a company’s staff ID card with the photograph and name of Oguejiofor John Uchenna, an ATM card belonging to Favour Obayuwana, international passports of foreigners, a pair of female wedding rings and necklaces.
Dogo, who spoke only in the Hausa language, denied involvement in the kidnappings, claiming he had found the bag by the roadside and was on his way to hand it over to the police when he was apprehended.
The police have initiated an investigation, and the suspect will be charged in court following the ongoing process.
