A suspected kidnapper has expressed distress over the demolition of his family home by the Edo State Government Anti-Kidnapping Task Force. The suspect, who was recently arrested for his involvement in a kidnapping operation, lamented that his family would suffer now that their house has been destroyed.
The demolition took place in Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government Area, as part of the state government’s ongoing crackdown on properties linked to criminal activities.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect had confessed to participating in a kidnapping operation and receiving N800,000 from a N5 million ransom paid by the victim’s relatives. Security officials stated that the suspect was a member of a five-man gang that had been operating within the state.
According to the task force, the demolition was in line with the government’s zero-tolerance policy on kidnapping, which aims to dismantle both the operational and financial structures of criminal networks.
During his interview with ITV Benin from 0:41, the suspect admitted to his role in the crime and expressed regret over his actions, especially now that his family has nowhere to live.
In his words: “We took the victim from Ekpoma. The vehicle we used broke down on the road, and I used a motorcycle to take him to a bush in Uromi town, where we held him for three days. I feel bad because my family is going to suffer since they no longer have a home. Anybody who sees crime should run from it because crime is not good,” he lamented.