The Edo State government has demolished a property in Uromi, Esan North Local Government Area, belonging to Odianosen Oboh, due to his involvement in kidnapping activities in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, confirmed in a statement on Thursday in Benin City that the demolition followed Oboh’s arrest and confession to his role in multiple kidnappings in Edo Central.
He added that Oboh admitted that he recently received N800,000 from a kidnapping operation.
“My name is Odianosen Oboh. My father built this house, but I completed it. I joined my friend, Epama, in kidnapping a man.
“We abducted him from Ekpoma, and when the vehicle we were using broke down, I transported him on my motorcycle. After holding him for three days in the bush, we received a N5 million ransom.
“My share was N800,000, which I used to pay off debts. Epama was arrested, and I was later caught.
“Now, my house and my father’s house are being demolished because of N800,000. My family is homeless, and my children are suffering. I deeply regret my actions,” Oboh said in the statement.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, Akhere Paul, who supervised the demolition, reiterated the government’s readiness to eradicate kidnapping in the state.
“There is no peace for the wicked. The government will not relent until the kidnappers are eliminated.
“If you are involved in kidnapping, your time will come, and we will come for you,” the governor’s aide stated.
The Commander of the Edo State Anti-Kidnapping Task Force, Michael Anetor, confirmed that Oboh had fully confessed to his involvement in the kidnapping.
He said: “I interviewed him, and he admitted to the crime.
“He participated once with Palmer, whose house was also demolished. We will not rest until kidnapping is completely eradicated in Edo State.”