Ehis Jonah, 26, has been detained in connection with the train station attack and kidnapping that occurred on January 7, 2023, in Igueben, Edo Central Senatorial District.
Jonah, who was one of 12 suspects paraded for various crimes by the Edo State Police Command in Benin, the state capital, on Friday, claimed he was contacted to supply logistics for the other suspects, using his motorcycle, and that he made N2 million from the crime.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, he said, “I am a motorcycle rider, and I was contacted by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to take him and others to the train station for kidnapping.
“He promised to pay me. So, I took them there. After everything, he brought N2m for me and said that was my share of the proceeds.”
Moses Yamu, the Edo State police spokesman who paraded the accused, alleged that Jonah was caught when a police surveillance patrol halted a motorcycle carrying him and two others on September 1, 2024.
He added, “During interrogation, one Tecno Spark 9 phone in their possession rang. The call was placed hands-free, during which the caller stated that the owner of the phone, Gazali Hassan, went missing on August 31 with his motorcycle.
“On the strength of the revelation, an investigation was launched, and findings were that the suspects killed the said Gazali Hassan and took his motorcycle.”
He added, “During interrogation, one Tecno Spark 9 phone in their possession rang. The call was placed hands-free, during which the caller stated that the owner of the phone, Gazali Hassan, went missing on August 31 with his motorcycle.
“On the strength of the revelation, an investigation was launched, and findings were that the suspects killed the said Gazali Hassan and took his motorcycle.”
According to a police official, agents were dispatched to the crime scene near the Idumoza pipeline in Uromi and retrieved the corpse.
He added, “Further investigation led to the arrest of an additional seven suspects who have been terrorising Edo Central and have participated in the robbery at Osigholo filling station and the deadly attack/kidnapping at Igueben train station.
“Investigation is ongoing with a view to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.”
