The Edo State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Idris Amedu, popularly known as Dogo.
The 25-year-old suspect was said to have led a series of bloody kidnappings in the Niger Delta region. According to a police report, Dogo was the head of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that killed some policemen during their recent operations in the region.
Bellnews understands that the force had previously declared Dogo wanted before operatives succeeded in arresting him at Ahor Community near Benin City, where he reportedly came out of a bush with a bag containing items allegedly belonging to one of his victims at about 10 pm on 20 September.
The command said the suspect was arrested following a reliable intelligence report received by detectives at Egba Police Station in the Uhunmwonde local government area of the state.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday morning, the Edo State Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the suspect had been on the Command’s wanted list for a long time.
He listed items recovered from the suspect to include eight different ATM cards of local and foreign banks, a foreign driving license, a British residence permit, foreign cards bearing Mr Afam Ogbu (with the photograph), and Mrs Ogbu Mary Theresa, passport photographs of a white lady and that of three young black men.
Also recovered are a company’s staff I.D. card with a photograph and name of Oguejiofor John Uchenna and an ATM card belonging to one Favour Obayuwana, international passports of foreigners, a pair of female wedding rings and necklaces, Naija News learnt.
Idris, who spoke only in the Hausa language, denied involvement in the series of kidnappings, claimed he picked up the bag by the roadside and was on his way to a nearby police station to hand it over to the law enforcement agents when the police nabbed him.
SP Nwabuzor, however, said an investigation has commenced, and the suspect will soon be charged in court.