Personnel of the Nigeria Police have arrested and grilled the traditional ruler (Onojie) of Uromi, His Royal Highness, Zaiki Aselm Aidenojie, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State for alleged kidnapping in the State.
Aidenojie was arrested at the Irrua Area Command of Nigeria Police along with a policeman in connection with a fatal kidnapping.
Videos of the violent protest by youths blocking the entrance with bonfires, calling out the traditional ruler to submit himself to the police for interrogation, surfaced on the internet a few days ago.
The traditional ruler, who denied any link with the recent kidnapping in the area, was, however, released on bail by the police after a statement was obtained under caution.
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The State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, said at a press briefing at the State Police headquarters in Benin City that a traditional ruler was allegedly involved in the kidnapping.
He said the disgraceful act led to a protest by the residents of the Community.
The police commissioner also confirmed the arrest of the traditional ruler and police officer in connection with the crime, saying that the IGP would finally decide the person’s fate after undergoing an orderly room trial and necessary investigation.
The CP Adegboye, vigilantes and hunters in the area engaged a kidnapping gang in a shootout while attempting to kidnap a driver and passengers a few days later, the same crime allegedly orchestrated by the traditional ruler and the police officer.
He said, “We got wind of the officer whom the arrested kidnapper has mentioned. As I am talking to you, some youths are on the street protesting the involvement of indegins – a traditional ruler – in cases of kidnapping in the area.
“We are not taking it with a pinch of salt. The case is under discreet investigation, and whoever is involved will be dealt with according to the law of the land,” he said.
The police would make their findings known to the public”, he assured.
It could be recalled that the State Government said that some traditional rulers were among the masterminds of the January 7, 2023, Igueben Train Station attack in the Igueben Local Government Area of the State.
Twenty train passengers and two Nigerian Railway Corporation staff were kidnapped and later rescued by security agents.
The Police Command, after that, charged eight suspects, including two Igueben traditional rulers and five others arrested in connection with the crime, to court within the jurisdiction of the crime.
The court document reviewed by The Standard Gazette indicated that the police charged the suspects, Ibadin Hamilton, Ighoko Odion and Okojie Ewa, with criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.
For the same offence, others are Okie Patrick, Friday Ighedujiemu, Halilu Umaru, Aminu Ibrahim, and Isah Aliyu.
January 17, 2023, a charge sheet was filed by the Legal Section State Criminal Investigation Department, Police Headquarters, Benin City, reports said.
It could be recalled that the same Aidenojie was suspended then by the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for assaulting a married woman during the Edo 2016 Governorship election.
However, the outgoing Governor of the State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, reinstated him following the intervention of some citizens in the State.
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