From, Osemwengie Ben ogbemudia Benin
The Edo State Police Command has paraded suspected killers of former Etsako East Local Government Area Chairman, Hon Suleiman Afegbua, one Pastor Godwin Akpoguenabor and Patience Omo-Osagie a Business woman who were recently murdered in the state.
Briefing newsmen earlier today (Tuesday), the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Haliru Gwandu, affirmed that the former council chairman was indeed killed by Fulani herdsmen who are already in custody and are helping in their investigation.
The Suspects
Gwandu said the aggressive combing of the area where Suleiman was killed by men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism led to the arrest of Mustapha Ramat, Boni Sale and Adamu Bayero while the kidnapped victims were released and are currently undergoing medical examination.
The Police boss said investigation also showed that three of the killers of Patient Omo-Osagie at Adesuwa off Airport road were also responsible for the death of the Head founder and Head Pastor of Love Fire Ministry, Pastor Godwin Akpoguenabor penultimate Sunday in Benin City and that they have all been apprehended.
He said a total of 12 suspects were arrested for 4 murder cases, 5 arrested for kidnapping and robbery respectively while two locally made shot guns, four live cartridges, one Nokia Lumia Phone were recovered.
Pastor Godwin Akpoguenabor
The Police Commissioner said those already arrested are helping with investigation that will lead to the arrest of others who are on the run.
According to Gwandu, “The Command will always be on top of every situation. The promise that I made to ensure that entire citizen of the Edo state Command sleep with their two eyes close is still sacrosanct”.
“Very recently one late Hon Suleiman Afegbua former Etsako East Local Government Chairman was ambushed and killed while two others one Musa Taibu and Jubril Abdul were abducted in the process and taken to unknown destination.
“Investigation reveals that the hoodlums were Fulani herdsmen. On receipt of this report, tactical teams such as Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-cultism unit men from the CIID and some PFM 5 personnel were all drafted into the area to comb and search for the abducted men.
“I can’t tell you if ransom was paid or not but all the victims of the kidnapped have been released based on pressure mounted by the Police because I know a little after the incident I mobilized all the tactical teams and they combed the bush for over 48 hours”. He said.
Gwandu however assured the Edo people that the Police Command “is doing everything humanly possible to ensure crime and criminality is reduced to its barest ebb through proactive and community policing strategy”.