A suspect, Ehis Jonah, 26, has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command in connection with the train station attack and kidnapping in Igueben, Edo Central Senatorial District.
Recall that gunmen attacked the station on January 7, 2023, kidnapped 20 passengers and injured many others.
The spokesman of the command, SP Moses Yamu, paraded Jonah alongside other suspects arrested for various crimes at the police headquarters in Benin city on Friday, September 6, 2024
According to the PPRO, Jonah was apprehended after a police surveillance patrol stopped a motorcycle conveying him and two others on September 1, 2024.
“On 01/09/2024 at about 1300hrs, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit while on surveillance patrol along Obedu road, Uromi upon reasonable suspicion, stopped three (3) persons namely Christopher Lucky ‘m’ 24yrs, Kelvin Eboigbe ‘m’ 24yrs and Ehis Jonah ‘m’ 26yrs riding on a Qlink Motorcycle with reg no BEN 489 VN,” he stated.
“During interrogation, one Tecno Spark 9 handset in their possession rang, the call was placed on hands free and the caller gave his name as Ayuba Mohammed and further stated that the owner of the phone by name Gazali Hassan, went missing on the 31/08/2024 with his motorcycle.
“On the strength of this revelation, investigation was launched and findings were that the suspects killed the said Gazali Hassan and took his motorcycle.
“Operatives mobilized to the scene of crime, along Idumoza Pipeline in Uromi, Edo state and recovered the corpse to Camillus Hospital Mortuary, Uromi for autopsy.
“The hammer and knife used to commit the offence were also recovered as exhibits. The ring leader named Ehis Jonah confessed to have met Sunday Amah, Innocent Julius and Daniel John in Benin prison for various kidnapping cases but were allegedly discharged where they subsequently formed a new syndicate.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of additional seven (7) suspects namely Innocent Julius ‘m’ 36yrs, Sunday Amah ‘m’ 37yrs, Molu Behere ‘m’ 32yrs, Ojeleje Amenbhagbe ‘m’ 25yrs, Mohammed Yahaya ‘m’ 37yrs, Daniel John ‘m’ 34yrs, Okihan Lucky ‘m’ 40yrs and Pastor Osagie Michael ‘m’ 37yrs, all syndicate who have been terrorizing Edo Central Senatorial District in crimes such as the robbery at Osigholo filling station Igueben, deadly attack/kidnapping at Igueben train station where they confessed to receiving a ransom of fifteen million naira (15,000,000.00), amongst other heinous crimes.
“Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the remaining members of the syndicate and recovery of their operational weapons.
In an interview with journalists, Jonah said he was contacted to provide logistics for the other suspects, using his motorcycle and he made N2m as proceeds from the crime.
“I am a motorcycle rider and I was contacted by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to take him and others to the train station for kidnapping,” he said.
“He promised to pay me. So, I took them there. After everything, he brought N2m for me and said that was my share of the proceeds.”
