The Edo State government has demolished a residential duplex allegedly linked to kidnapping and organ harvesting in Benin City.
The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr Fred Itua, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, revealing that the demolished property was the site of a gruesome crime involving the abduction and killing of a young woman for organ harvesting.
He stated that the suspect had been arrested in Lagos and would be extradited to Edo State for prosecution.
Itua stressed that the building where the crime was committed belonged to the father of the suspected kidnapper and organ harvester, who had made valuable statements.
“His Excellency has directed that this is only the beginning. More buildings used for criminal activities will be demolished. This action is backed by existing laws enacted by the current administration.
“This is not a political witch-hunt. These buildings were used for acts that contravene the laws of Edo State. The governor has made it clear that anyone involved in cultism or related crimes will face the full force of the law,” he added.
Itua also stated that the father of the suspect and owner of the demolished building, Mr Martins Oghenewore, recounted the shocking moment he learned of the crime.
“On April 23, while returning home, my wife called to inform me that our son had murdered a woman in his quarters. I immediately reported to the police, who followed me home and helped convey the corpse to the mortuary. I’ve been in police custody since then.
“My 28-year-old son had long exhibited troubling behavior. I trained him from primary school through university in Ekpoma. For over a decade, he has been a problem. I took him to rehab, neuropsychiatric centers, and even traditional healers.
“He rarely slept at home, drank excessively, and was often missing. He has destroyed everything I worked for.”
This house was my retirement plan, and now, I’m watching it being brought down. It’s heartbreaking,” Oghenewore lamented.
The Chief Press Secretary further alleged that authorities confirmed the suspect was apprehended in Lagos, with human body parts recovered from him.
He explained that investigations are ongoing as the government intensifies efforts to stamp out kidnapping and cultism across the state.
