Eight arrested in Osun for ‘killing’ 65-year-old kidnap victim in Benue

The Osun police command says it has arrested eight suspected members of a kidnap syndicate hiding in the state after operating in Benue.

Yemisi Opalola, the Osun command’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday that the suspects were arrested on Friday at Omo Ijesa village.

According to Opalola, the suspects confessed to have killed one Akiishi Catherine and three others in previous operations.

They reportedly relocated to Osun to escape arrest and negotiate ransom for their victims.

“The suspects were arrested on May 7, sequel to credible intelligence the command received and acted upon in a follow-up on a case of the kidnap of a 65-year-old, Mrs Akiishi Catherine, in Benue State,” the statement read.

“The operation was led by the Commissioner of Police in Osun, Olawale Olokode.

“Prior to the arrest, Police investigations revealed that the suspects relocated to Osun after the kidnap of the woman as a deceptive tactic to avoid arrest by the Police in Benue.

“The suspects have also planned to use Osun as a safe haven for the negotiation and collection of ransom even after murdering the woman in cold blood.

“The suspects will be handed over to the Benue Police Command as soon as preliminary investigations are concluded.”