BY IDAHOSA MUSA

UROMI (ESAN NORTH-EAST) – The Edo State Government (EDSG) has demolished a building inherited by a suspected kidnapper, Oboh Odianosen, following his alleged involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.

The suspect, who hails from Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area, allegedly received N800,000 from a N5,000,000 ransom paid to his five-man kidnapping gang.

Speaking to newsmen before the demolition, Mr. Oboh admitted that he recently received the N800,000 as proceeds from his last operation.

He said in an informal tone, “My name na Odianosen Oboh. Na my house be this. My papa build am, but I finish the house. Na my friend, Palmer I follow. We carry one man from Ekpoma, as we carry am, the car we use spoil. I come use my bike carry am. We carry am go inside bush for Uromi; we spend three days inside bush before them pay us N5 million. Na five of us do the job, and them give me N800,000. I use the money pay some kind debts when I owe before.”

On how he was arrested, he revealed, “Na Palmer when them hold confess me, and them come pick me. Now, them wan break my house, my papa house, because of N800,000. My family no go get house again. My children dey outside now. Anybody wey see crime make e run from crime,” he advised.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, Mr. Akhere Paul, who supervised the demolition, reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating crime in Edo State. 

He emphasised that Governor Monday Okpebholo has zero tolerance for criminals and warned that those involved in kidnapping would soon be caught.

“Those still kidnapping should know that the government will not stop. Your time will come, and we will come for you. We will chase them, continue to chase them, and we will continue to bring their houses down,” he warned.

The Commander of the Edo State Task Force Committee, SP Michael Anetor, stated that the state law was enforced following the suspect’s confession.

“This guy called Oboh is a kidnapper. He has confessed to the crime. I personally interviewed him, and he told me he only followed them once, with the guy called Palmer, whose house we have also demolished.

“I am advising those watching what is going on now and still have intentions to commit crime, the governor will not rest, and we at the Task Force are ready to work round the clock until kidnapping stops in Edo State,” he vowed.

The Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), on 18 February 2025, passed the State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025, approving the death sentence for offenders.

The House Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, moved the motion for the house to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider the bill clause by clause, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Henry Okaka, representing Owan East. 

The lawmakers amended the 2013 law, which had prescribed life imprisonment and property confiscation for kidnappers, imposing a stricter penalty of death sentence alongside property confiscation.

Recalled that the state government demolished houses linked to suspected kidnappers in Illeh villages in Ekpoma and Uromi, in Esan West and Esan North-East Local Government Areas.

Speaking with journalists, two suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belonged to a seven-man gang, admitted that their hideouts had been demolished. 

They confessed to engaging in high-profile kidnappings within the Edo Central region, with their last operation yielding a N10 million ransom.

The gang leader, Utubor Uchenna, revealed that their last victim was targeted due to his luxury car and was kidnapped along with a female companion. Both were released unharmed after paying the ransom.

Two days later, the state government demolished a building belonging to a septuagenarian, Mr. Karimu Audu, in Eshioriri-Erah, Owan East Local Government Area, after he was accused of acting as a kidnapping informant.

Authorities alleged that Mr. Audu not only provided information to kidnappers, but also hosted them overnight and supplied them with food.

Addressing journalists at the scene, Mr. Akhere Paul, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for complicity in crime.

“We are here because of a conspiracy. He (Audu) has been working with kidnappers in the forest. Let this serve as a warning to everyone—if you see something, say something. If you conspire with criminals, your day will come, just like today has come for him to face the law,” he stated.

However, Mr. Audu denied the allegations, insisting that his interactions with herders were legitimate and in line with his role within the community.

“They said I would give information to the Fulani. I don’t. I am the chairman of a six-man community committee. My job is to collect annual payments and bring them to the Highness for sharing. I don’t give information to anyone; I simply do my committee work,” he said.