A suspected kidnapper has confessed to participating in a recent abduction in Edo State and admitted collecting part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family, police said.
The suspect, identified as Marvelous Marvelous, was paraded alongside other suspects at the Edo State Police Command on Thursday. During interrogation, he told reporters that the gang abducted a woman in the state and demanded ransom.
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“Two boys came to me, one named Obaseki. They said they wanted to kidnap a woman,” he said. “I agreed. We kidnapped the woman and her family paid ₦8 million ransom. My share was ₦1 million.”
Marvelous also said the gang used part of the money to buy a motorcycle and ammunition, and claimed the group was responsible for other kidnappings in the state.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who witnessed the parade, said the government would not tolerate kidnapping and cult-related violence. He announced plans to sign a law prescribing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and said the state would push for speedy prosecution of suspects.
“Enough is enough. We will sign a death penalty law for kidnappers. Security agencies have my full backing to deal decisively with these criminals,” the governor said.
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Police officials said investigations are ongoing and that other members of the gang are being tracked. They urged residents to provide useful information to help curb kidnapping and cultism in the state.
The suspect’s confession adds to growing concern over kidnapping for ransom in Edo, where security agencies have intensified operations in recent weeks.
