A suspect in the kidnap and murder of one Smart Nwashiri 29, in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local government Area of Edo State has said his gang killed the victim to cover up their crime.
The suspect identified as Goodluck Ogeah said his gang conspired and collected N200,000 from the victim before stabbing him to death.
Ogeah, a motor mechanic was paraded in Benin City by the police before journalists; alongside four other suspects in the crime.
He confessed that his gang specialised in removing catalyst from unsuspecting car owners vehicles and in turn sell it to the now deceased victim, Smart Nwashiri.
He said, “The man (victim) used to ask us if we have catalyst and he will buy it anytime we have. So, one day in 2022, a mechanic who removed his customer’s catalyst was caught, and he confessed that he sold it to Smart.
“But Smart went ahead and implicated me to the mob beating him when I was not involved. After that incident, he apologized and we started doing business together. One day I called him that I have catalyst for sale.
“He came to Ologbo to pick it, and that was how we kidnapped him. But after he paid N200,000 ransom, I remembered the 2022 incident. I stabbed him with a knife so that he will not go and report.”
The State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, said the victim was lured on June 17, 2024 by the gang leader to a location at Ologbo area where the other gang members were waiting.
Funsho stated that the victim has been a serial receiver of stolen catalyst and other stolen items from the suspects. “Based on sustained technical investigation, the five suspects were tracked as far as Delta State and arrested,” Adegboye said.
