By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Adamu Usman, 18, said he was held captive by a mysterious force when he broke into the compound of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom at Okada Avenue, GRA Benin City to steal some of his artifacts.
He made the confession when he was paraded by the Edo State Police command alongside four other criminal suspects.
Adamu confessed that he did not know what happened to his brain immediately after he tried to escape through the compound fence but he believed that he was held down by what he described as “juju”.
He said he regained his senses when the police officer got to him and arrested him.
Parading the suspect, the Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemi Iwo, through the Public Relations Officer, Moses Joel Yamu, said the suspect was seen stealing some of the artifacts from the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion located at Okada Avenue, GRA Benin City.
The CP explained that the worth of the already stolen artifacts is estimated at about N500 million.
He said,” Following reports of theft of artifacts from the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion located at Okada Avenue, GRA Benin City, operatives of the Command on surveillance around the residence arrested one Adamu Usman ‘m? 18yrs on 23/07/2024 at about 0130hrs while trying to steal artifacts.
“The worth of the already stolen artifacts is estimated at about N500 million
“Upon interrogations, the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of another suspect named Etuk Bassey ‘m’ 36, who happened to be the driver who usually convey these stolen artifacts.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime while efforts to track and arrest other fleeing suspects is on”
The CP also gave a marching order to all DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders to ensure safety for all under his area of responsibility by embracing community-based policing.
He expressed his commitment to maintain the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the state under his stewardship, the command which has recorded breakthrough.
