By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Edo State Government has arrested a suspected kingpin of a kidnapping syndicate and demolished his residence in Uromi, as part of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
The suspect, Christian Okoduwa, is currently in police custody in Benin City following investigations by the Edo State Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists.
His home, located on Thursday Street, off Amedokhian Road, Uromi, was razed on Friday after authorities linked him to a chain of abduction cases in the area and its environs.
Barrister John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the security squad, told journalists at the scene that Okoduwa allegedly coordinated criminal operations by bringing suspected kidnappers from neighbouring states and communities into Uromi.
“We are in Uromi, and this building behind me, which has been demolished, belongs to one Christian Okoduwa, who has been linked severally to a kidnapping bloc chain where he imports machineries to Uromi from neighbouring states and communities to carry out kidnapping businesses,” Izegaegbe said.
“All arrests made in Uromi and its environs have been linked to him directly and his syndicate, who have allegedly been terrorising the people of Uromi. This is conspiracy and abetting kidnapping.”
Izegaegbe further alleged that Okoduwa was the mastermind behind some of the most serious kidnapping incidents recorded in the area, adding that multiple suspects already in custody had mentioned his name during interrogations.
“Most persons arrested have mentioned his name, linking their kidnapping activities to him. This necessitated the demolition of his building in Amedokhian,” he stated.
The demolition, according to Izegaegbe, was carried out in line with state government policy authorising the destruction of properties used for criminal purposes.
“This demolition is the result of kidnapping activities. Any building used for such nefarious activities must go down. We have a marching order, based on investigation and verified information, that this building should be demolished. This is what the law provides, and that is what we have done,” he said.
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to making the state crime-free, warning that property owners who harbour or facilitate criminal elements would face similar consequences.
“The government is determined to make Edo crime-free. The law is ready to catch up with and prosecute criminal elements in the state,” Izegaegbe added.
Okoduwa is expected to face prosecution as investigations continue, with authorities vowing to dismantle all kidnapping networks operating within the state.
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