Edo State Dismantles Building Linked to Kidnap Kingpin

On Thursday, Edo State authorities demolished a building allegedly owned by suspected kidnap kingpin Solomon Johnson in Obagie N Evbuosa, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area. This action is part of a broader initiative to combat kidnapping and violent crime in the state.

Governor Mondai Okpebholo's Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojel, announced that the demolition was executed by the Governor's Principal Security Officer alongside the Edo State Security Squad. The building was identified as a location where kidnap victims were allegedly kept.

Solomon Johnson, currently in police custody, is accused of leading a kidnapping syndicate that recently demanded a ransom of N11 million for a victim's release. The Edo State Security Squad's spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, stated that the demolition serves as a warning to others involved in criminal activities, emphasizing that Edo State will no longer be a safe haven for criminals.

Johnson admitted during interrogation that he sold stolen items, including phones and laptops, taken from kidnap victims.