‘Juju’ Arrests N.5bn Thief Artifacts At Igbinedion’s

Edo State police command has paraded five suspects among who were those who stole artifacts from the Benin City residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Moses Joel Yamu, who paraded the suspects on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nemi Iwo, said all DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders to ensure security for people under their areas of responsibility by embracing community-based policing.
He said the commissioner was committed to maintaining the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the State in which the command has recorded some breakthroughs.
Yamu said following the arrest of some thieves who stole artifacts, the operatives of the Command said they were on surveillance around the residence and arrested one Adamu Usman while trying to steal artifacts.
He said, “Following reports of theft of artifacts from the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion at Okada Avenue, GRA Benin City, operatives of the Command on surveillance around the residence arrested one Adamu Usman, 18, on 23/07/2024 at about 1.30am while trying to steal artifacts.
“The already stolen artifacts is estimated at about N500 million. Upon interrogation, the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of another suspect name Etuk Bassey, 36, who happened to be the driver who usually conveys these stolen artifacts.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime while effort to track and arrest other fleeing suspects is on.
In another case, the PPRO said on September 6, operatives of Command’s X-Squad acting on credible information arrested Mustapha Suleiman, 27, and Isaac Joseph, 25, in possession of a Toyota RAV 4 with registration number EKY 855 JJ, reasonably suspected to be stolen.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to have stolen the vehicle from Lagos State and were looking for a buyer to sell the vehicle. The Lagos State Command have been contacted for takeover of the case for further investigation.
Speaking about the arrest of a kidnap suspect, the PPRO said, “On September 2, at about 0930hrs Mr. Igbinosun Bvans, leader of Ugbogul community was kidnapped and a ransom of N7 million paid for his release by the family. Upon receipt of the complaint, the operatives of the Command’s Intelligence Rapid Response Squad (CIRRS) tracked and arrested one Ibrahim Yahaya Jolly, 27.”
He said the suspect confessed to the crime and has been cooperating with the police for the possible arrest of others at large, and recovery of their arms.
“The Commissioner of Police appeals for cooperation with the police and other security agencies to rid the ‘Heart Beat of the Nation’ of all forms of crime and criminality.
“There will be no room for criminals or criminality in the state, they should move elsewhere or the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he added.
In interviews with the press one of the suspects, Adamu Usman, who hails from Kano State, said he was held down by a “native charm” also known as juju at the residence of Chief Igbinedion.
He said he didn’t know what happened to his brain immediately after he tried to escape through the compound fence that he was held down by what he described as juju until the police officer who was coming after him got to him and touched him before he regained his sense.