The police in Edo State have arrested a 45-year-old hunter, Kehinde Adetunji, for allegedly masterminding the kidnapping and killing of his close friend, Edafe Oghenekome, in Utese Village, Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
According to sources within the community, the victim had recently made millions of naira from the sale of pineapples harvested from his farm before he was abducted on February 4 alongside his sister.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N45 million for their release.
It was gathered that after the ransom was paid, only Oghenekome’s sister was freed on February 9, while he remained in captivity.
He was later allegedly killed in the bush after reportedly discovering that his friend had taken a share of the ransom money.
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Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said sustained investigation led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Abdulsalam Mohammadu, 21, whose confession exposed the involvement of Adetunji and another accomplice, Nasiru Yau, 24.
Police described Adetunji as the syndicate’s local informant who allegedly coordinated the operation, while Yau was said to have supplied food to the gang during their stay in the forest.
The command disclosed that all suspects confessed to participating in the kidnapping, ransom collection, and subsequent murder. Security operatives also recovered two AK-47 rifles and three Dane guns during the investigation.
The remains of the victim were later discovered in a forest in Iguobazuwa, where he had been abandoned.
The arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Police authorities assured residents of continued operations to bring criminal elements to justice and strengthen security across the state.
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