The Edo State Police Command has arrested three out of the four-man kidnapping gang who had collected over N75 million ransom from 11 victims between January and April 2025.

Moses Yamu, the image maker of the Command, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City, said that the kidnapping syndicate had been terrorizing Benin City and environs.

Ekwutosblog reports that Moses Yamu gave the names of the three arrested suspects as Asemota Osamede,  38,  ⁠Michael Tomminiwei, 43, and Kelly Aitoya, 34.

Yamu said the suspects were arrested after successfully collecting the sum of N7.5 million ransom from one Mrs Vivian Diode, a sawmill operator at Eyean, Aduduwa along the Benin-Auchi road, Benin City.

He said the suspects, who allegedly kidnapped the victim on April 10, 2025, collected N1.5 million from her bank account while in captivity and also collected N6 million ransom from her family members before releasing her.

Ekwutosblog , however, gathered that a week after her release, the suspects also called the family members to demand another N3 million.

It was gathered that the suspects threatened to kidnap her again or assassinate her if the family failed to pay the money.

It was learnt that the development prompted the family to report the incident to the police and the anti-cultism unit of the command.

The operatives swiftly responded and, in the process, arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of the woman.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Yamu, said the suspects who confessed to the crime belonged to a four-man kidnapping syndicate operating with one AK-47 rifle and two pump-action guns in Benin City.

He said the investigation has been completed and the suspect will be charged in Court.

He said the commissioner of police in the state, Monday Agbonika, restated the command’s commitment to the safety of lives and property, warning that there is no safe haven for criminals in the state.

The Benue State Office of the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, has condemned the recent attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, describing the incident as “barbaric, archaic, reprehensible, worrisome and an unacceptable.

It said the attack was an attempt to undermine the sacredness of the lives and properties” of the state’s peace-loving citizens.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the PCC in Benue State, Rt. Hon Chief James Ogaba Oche, expressed deep concern over the gruesome killings and destruction of property that occurred during the attack.

“The Benue State Office of the Public Complaints Commission wishes to condemn in unequivocal terms, the recent attack on the people of Yelewata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State which led to the indescribable killing of innocent Nigerians and destruction of property,” the statement read.

While commiserating with the government and people of Benue State, particularly the victims and their families, the PCC called for urgent and decisive government intervention.

“The Benue PCC commiserates with the government and people of Benue State, most especially the victims who lost their lives, loved ones and properties.”

The Ombudsman also called on authorities at all levels to enhance security efforts and adopt proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

“The Benue PCC respectfully calls on government at all levels to intensify security efforts to forestall a possible reoccurrence and to further guarantee the protection of the lives and properties of the people through credible intelligence gathering and possible preventive measures,” the statement added.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has threatened to demolish houses and properties built in the Government Reservation Areas in Benin City.

Ekwutosblog reports that the Governor, however, assured that compensation would be paid to property owners with verified documents by the government while others would be relocated to safe areas.

“Private and commercial houses built along waterways will be demolished to pave the way for proper surface and underground drainages, especially in Government Reservation Areas in Benin City.

“Property owners with verified documents will be compensated by the government, while others will be relocated to safe areas”, he said.

Okpebholo gave the hint in Benin City while announcing the engagement of a team of environmental and hydrology experts to understudy the perennial flooding challenges confronting the state, particularly the capital.

He said the technical team from four companies have been hired to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and environmental assessments aimed at designing a permanent and sustainable solution to Benin City’s flood problem.

He added that the planned multifaceted flood control project across the state capital would commence after the heavy rains, and the project would be completed in no distant time.

The Governor explained that the study would be after the Akwa Ibom and Rivers States’ models, which had transformed the states most flood-prone areas with efficient flood management systems.

“With the rainy season already tilting towards its peak, the timing of the exercise is strategic. It will provide the experts with a unique opportunity to observe and assess the true extent of flooding in real time across Benin City and other vulnerable parts of the state.

“The focus will be on understanding the terrain, existing drainage infrastructure, and recurring flashpoints of overflow and erosion.

“Their findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Governor for thorough evaluation and subsequent implementation.

“There will be zero tolerance for corruption or cosmetic solutions. Every kobo earmarked for the projects will be accounted for and directed solely toward its intended purpose which is the protection of lives, properties, and the environment.

“The government remains unwavering to make Benin City and its environs more resilient, livable, and economically viable. This bold intervention is part of the government broader development agenda to reposition Edo State as a model of modern urban infrastructure and environmental planning in Nigeria.

“The era of seasonal flooding, paralyzing communities, and threatening livelihoods in Edo is coming to an end”, he added.

He added that the administration is taking firm steps to deliver a future where residents would no longer live in fear each time it rains, and look forward to a new lease of life marked by proactive leadership and responsive governance.

Okpebholo posited that the government is committed to ensuring that the process is neither cosmetic nor politicized but rather driven by empirical data and genuine concern for the safety and wellbeing of Edo residents.