In a significant development, the police have arrested a suspect nearly 20 months after a high-profile kidnapping incident in Edo State. The 26-year-old suspect was also charged with the murder of Gazali Hassan, who was killed on August 31, 2024, following the theft of his motorcycle.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, presented the suspect, along with eleven others facing various charges, during a press briefing in Benin City on Friday. Yamu recounted that on January 7, 2023, armed assailants attacked the Igueben train station, leading to the abduction of several individuals.
The recent arrest took place on September 1, 2024, when a police patrol intercepted a motorcycle carrying the suspect and two accomplices. During questioning, a Techno Spark 9 mobile phone in the suspect’s possession rang. The caller revealed that Gazali Hassan, the phone’s owner, had gone missing on August 31 along with his motorcycle.
Following this revelation, the police launched an investigation. They discovered that the suspects had murdered Hassan and stolen his motorcycle. The police spokesperson confirmed that operatives were sent to the crime scene at the Idumoza pipeline in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, where they found Hassan’s body.
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Further investigations led to the arrest of seven additional suspects, who were reportedly causing fear in the Edo Central senatorial district. These individuals were connected to the robbery at the Osigholo filling station and the violent attack and kidnapping at the Igueben train station.
Ongoing investigations aim to apprehend the remaining members of the criminal group and recover their weapons. In an interview, one of the suspects admitted that he had earned N2 million from the Igueben train station attack and kidnapping. He revealed that he had been hired as a logistics provider, using his motorcycle to transport the other suspects.
The suspect, who was identified as a motorcycle rider, stated, “I was contracted by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to take him and others to the train station for the kidnapping. He promised to pay me, and after the operation, he gave me N2 million as my share.”
Investigations are still ongoing as the police work to capture all involved and resolve the case fully.
