Police parades eight suspected kidnappers of Ondo APC

THE Ondo state Police command on Wednesday paraded eight suspected kidnappers, including a father and his son, who participated in the recent abduction and killing of the Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Olumide Odimayo.

The eight suspects who were arrested in the coastal community of Ajagba in Irele local government area of the state were arrested over offences bothering on illegal possession of fire arms, vandalism and unlawful possession of arms.

The suspects, David Seimiyengha and his father Fikesei Inuesokan with six others which included Bekewei Francis, Ekan Roman, Gbabila Success, Bodidi Idowu, Saturday Amos and Ijanboh Kehinde conspired and abducted Odimayo in the early hours of Thursday last week.

Briefing journalists in their arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Harrison, said about 20 gunmen invaded the home of Odimayo at Igbotu in Ese Odo local government area of the state shooting sporadically into the air and kidnapped the APC chieftain to an unknown destination.

According to the Police boss, the hoodlums who were armed to the teeth headed towards the creeks with their victim

She said detectives from the command swung into action, combing the creeks for the hoodlums but said they were able to arrest the hoodlums with the help of local vigilante group in the area who have also been on the trail of the kidnappers.

The Police Commissioner however said Odimayo was found dead while his remains were dumped inside the water by the criminals saying “the body of the hostage was found lifeless in the creek of Ajagba”

She said the body of the late Odimayo has been deposited at the Hospital morgue for autopsy while she said detectives from the state have been hunting for other member of the gang.

Speaking on his involvement, David Seimiyrngha said the late Odimayo contacted his father, Fikesei Inuesokan, to cut some five thousand timbers for him.

He however said they opted to kidnap him rather than doing the work saying “we thought it would be more profitable to kidnap the man rather than doing the job.

We argued that since he can be able to pay for five thousand timbers he should have enough money. So we engaged the services of others and kidnap him to get ransom

He said he tried to save Odimayo buy said the APC chieftain lost his life because he was unable to swim and had to carry him on back each time they had to cross the river.

While the father denied any involvement in the crime saying he was implicated but his son said he masterminded the kidnap of Odimayo.

The Police boss however commended the people of the community for their support and assured that the suspects would be arraigned in court soon after the conclusion of the investigation.