Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested two suspects, Pedro Festus and Omorodion Felix, for the kidnapping and killing of a 22-year-old man after collecting a ransom.
The suspects are members of a notorious gang involved in kidnappings and car snatching across Delta and Edo states.
The victim, identified as Joseph, was attacked in front of his house in Uwore community. The suspects blocked his vehicle at gunpoint, abducted him, and drove him to a bush along the Benin-Akure Road.
They demanded a N10 million ransom, but the family could only raise N250,000, which was sent while negotiations continued. After receiving the N250,000, the suspects killed Joseph and sold his vehicle to an unknown buyer.
The suspects were later arrested, and during questioning, they confessed to the crime. Joseph had reportedly recognized them as neighbors in the same community.
One of the suspects, Pedro Festus, had previously been arrested for armed robbery under the name Ikoowonsa Owege but escaped custody during the #EndSARS protest in 2020. After his escape, he adopted the name Pedro Festus and used it to carry out a series of kidnappings and murders in the state.
