The unprecedented visit of strange-looking men to the home
of Dr. Paul Erie, an associate professor of agricultural economics at the
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Ambrose Alli University
(AAU), Ekpoma, on June 16, 2015 signalled an omninous outcome. His house is
located at Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government
Area of Edo State. Time was 8pm.
of Dr. Paul Erie, an associate professor of agricultural economics at the
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Ambrose Alli University
(AAU), Ekpoma, on June 16, 2015 signalled an omninous outcome. His house is
located at Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government
Area of Edo State. Time was 8pm.
The armed invaders numbering eight, reportedly positioned
themselves strategically within the premises. While some of them barged into
the sitting room without knocking, others stayed outside to ward off intruders.
themselves strategically within the premises. While some of them barged into
the sitting room without knocking, others stayed outside to ward off intruders.
They reportedly made straight for where Dr Erie was, with a
stern warning to him to cooperate or have his life wasted by a bullet from
their lethal weapon.
stern warning to him to cooperate or have his life wasted by a bullet from
their lethal weapon.
Like a sheep being led to the slaughter, Dr Erie reportedly
obeyed and was subsequently whisked away in their operational vehicle which left
a haze of dust from its screeching tyres.
obeyed and was subsequently whisked away in their operational vehicle which left
a haze of dust from its screeching tyres.
The commando-like operation was that of kidnap!
Investigations by Crime Guard revealed that Dr Erie’s case was not the first of
its kind in Igbanke. In fact, some indigenes who came visiting during festive
periods are frequently kidnapped, only to be released after payment of ransom.
Investigations by Crime Guard revealed that Dr Erie’s case was not the first of
its kind in Igbanke. In fact, some indigenes who came visiting during festive
periods are frequently kidnapped, only to be released after payment of ransom.
Crime Guard gathered that after contact was established by
Erie’s devastated family, N900,000 was dropped next day at a designated point
at the instruction of his abductors who promised to release him later that day.
Erie’s devastated family, N900,000 was dropped next day at a designated point
at the instruction of his abductors who promised to release him later that day.
But the culprits never lived up to their promise as Erie’s
apprehensive family members waited in vain for his return, without any
explanation from his abductors on reasons for the delay.
apprehensive family members waited in vain for his return, without any
explanation from his abductors on reasons for the delay.
The worst fears of the anxious family were however confirmed
four months after, following the arrest of the suspected kidnappers by men of
the Anti-Kidnapping Team set up by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr
Chris Ezike, where it was discovered to the chagrin of all, that Dr Erie had
been murdered!
four months after, following the arrest of the suspected kidnappers by men of
the Anti-Kidnapping Team set up by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr
Chris Ezike, where it was discovered to the chagrin of all, that Dr Erie had
been murdered!
During interrogation, the suspects disclosed that the
remains of Dr. Erie had been buried in a shallow grave in their hideout located
inside a forest at Igbanke. Policemen of the Anti-Kidnapping Team, on the
directive of the CP, reportedly accompanied the suspects to the shallow grave
where an exhumation of the body carried out confirmed the corpse to be that of
Dr Erie!
remains of Dr. Erie had been buried in a shallow grave in their hideout located
inside a forest at Igbanke. Policemen of the Anti-Kidnapping Team, on the
directive of the CP, reportedly accompanied the suspects to the shallow grave
where an exhumation of the body carried out confirmed the corpse to be that of
Dr Erie!
One of the suspect was in-law to deceased
Surprisingly, one of the suspects was discovered to be an
in-law to the deceased. He is Lucky Amiehi, the suspected leader of the kidnap
syndicate that had been terrorising Igbanke and the entire Edo State. In this
interview with Crime Guard, Amiehi (33), a welder who admitted to have been behind several
kidnaps in the state disclosed that information on their victims was often
given to them by their relations.
in-law to the deceased. He is Lucky Amiehi, the suspected leader of the kidnap
syndicate that had been terrorising Igbanke and the entire Edo State. In this
interview with Crime Guard, Amiehi (33), a welder who admitted to have been behind several
kidnaps in the state disclosed that information on their victims was often
given to them by their relations.
He was however quick to state that he never knew that late
Erie was his in-law until the gang’s sinister motive was accomplished. Hear
him: “Yes, I was among those that went to kidnap Prof. from his house. I never
knew him by his name. But he was popularly called ‘Prof.’ We never planned to kill him. His death was
an error on the part of my colleagues.
Erie was his in-law until the gang’s sinister motive was accomplished. Hear
him: “Yes, I was among those that went to kidnap Prof. from his house. I never
knew him by his name. But he was popularly called ‘Prof.’ We never planned to kill him. His death was
an error on the part of my colleagues.
After we succeeded in abducting him from his house, we drove
straight to the bush where we kept him. We did not blindfold him, but only
advised him to cooperate with us. Next day, I contacted his wife and demanded
for N10 million ransom. But she pleaded that she could only raise N900,000 and
I told her where to take the money to.
straight to the bush where we kept him. We did not blindfold him, but only
advised him to cooperate with us. Next day, I contacted his wife and demanded
for N10 million ransom. But she pleaded that she could only raise N900,000 and
I told her where to take the money to.
“Immediately after the conversation, I went back to the bush
only to discover that Prof.’s mouth was tied with his singlet. When I asked
why, they told me that he attempted to raise the alarm when he heard footsteps.
“But on close observation, I discovered that he was motionless. Immediately, I
untied his mouth.
only to discover that Prof.’s mouth was tied with his singlet. When I asked
why, they told me that he attempted to raise the alarm when he heard footsteps.
“But on close observation, I discovered that he was motionless. Immediately, I
untied his mouth.
Yet, he did not move. I called the attention of the boys
that tied him up, but they claimed he was only pretending. Since it was
raining, I let him be, with the hope that he would be revived by the rain. That
evening, I went to the meeting point to collect the N900,000 ransom from his
wife. “But to my surprise, I later
discovered that he was my in-law.
that tied him up, but they claimed he was only pretending. Since it was
raining, I let him be, with the hope that he would be revived by the rain. That
evening, I went to the meeting point to collect the N900,000 ransom from his
wife. “But to my surprise, I later
discovered that he was my in-law.
My sister was married to Prof’s younger brother who died
about five years ago. She had a son for him. Though I visited her while her
late husband was alive, I never met Prof. It was when my relative told me that my sister’s brother in-law had been
kidnapped and described his house to me, that I realised I had shot myself in
the leg.
about five years ago. She had a son for him. Though I visited her while her
late husband was alive, I never met Prof. It was when my relative told me that my sister’s brother in-law had been
kidnapped and described his house to me, that I realised I had shot myself in
the leg.
“I never gave anyone information on Prof. In fact, one of us
wanted to kidnap him before now. But by the time they went, they discovered he
had left for Ekpoma Campus of AAU, where he was a lecturer. On the day he was
eventually kidnapped, I was informed he was around. In fact, two members of our
gang had to keep watch on his apartment before our arrival.”
wanted to kidnap him before now. But by the time they went, they discovered he
had left for Ekpoma Campus of AAU, where he was a lecturer. On the day he was
eventually kidnapped, I was informed he was around. In fact, two members of our
gang had to keep watch on his apartment before our arrival.”
“We treat our victims like VIPs”
“We never beat our victims because someone who wants to give
you money does not deserve to be beaten. Rather, we treated them like VIPs. We
never meant to kill Prof. His death was an error. The singlet used to tie his
mouth was mistakenly used to tie his nose as well. He could have suffocated.”
you money does not deserve to be beaten. Rather, we treated them like VIPs. We
never meant to kill Prof. His death was an error. The singlet used to tie his
mouth was mistakenly used to tie his nose as well. He could have suffocated.”
Amiehi disclosed further that, before the abduction of late
Dr Erie, an indigene of Igbanke who came visiting from Port Harcourt, River
State, Mr Abel Ushagwu, was also abducted the same week. Ushagwu, Crime Guard
gathered, was also taken to the bush, from where he was released after N5
million was paid as ransom.
Dr Erie, an indigene of Igbanke who came visiting from Port Harcourt, River
State, Mr Abel Ushagwu, was also abducted the same week. Ushagwu, Crime Guard
gathered, was also taken to the bush, from where he was released after N5
million was paid as ransom.
Amiehi revealed that he got N600,000 out of the amount, and
added: “The man worked in an oil firm in Port Harcourt. He visited the village
for burial. On his way back from the funeral ceremony, we laid ambush for him
in front of his house. We also had the intention of selling the victim’s car.
But it was tracked by the police to where we packed it.
added: “The man worked in an oil firm in Port Harcourt. He visited the village
for burial. On his way back from the funeral ceremony, we laid ambush for him
in front of his house. We also had the intention of selling the victim’s car.
But it was tracked by the police to where we packed it.
“I was also responsible for the abduction of two Chinese men
along Esan Road. We drove them to the bush as usual but they later escaped.
They were able to escape because after each kidnap, we usually stayed distance
away from where our victims were kept. That way, policemen will not be able to
trace our exact location, should they be tracking our calls.”
along Esan Road. We drove them to the bush as usual but they later escaped.
They were able to escape because after each kidnap, we usually stayed distance
away from where our victims were kept. That way, policemen will not be able to
trace our exact location, should they be tracking our calls.”
Asked how they were
able to abduct the Chinese men, he said: “We laid ambush for them along
the expressway and struck when they slowed down on approaching a bad
spot.” Also asked how they were able to
cover their tracks in the bush without being noticed by villagers who have
farmlands around their den, he said victims were usually warned in their own
interest to keep quiet since they were not going to be used for rituals.
able to abduct the Chinese men, he said: “We laid ambush for them along
the expressway and struck when they slowed down on approaching a bad
spot.” Also asked how they were able to
cover their tracks in the bush without being noticed by villagers who have
farmlands around their den, he said victims were usually warned in their own
interest to keep quiet since they were not going to be used for rituals.
He further explained that most times, they monitored farmers
before leaving or going to visit their den. “I also changed my clothes any time
I was going out of the bush so as not to arouse farmers’ suspicion. Besides,
the forest is very far from villagers farmlands, so no one could easily see our
victims.”
before leaving or going to visit their den. “I also changed my clothes any time
I was going out of the bush so as not to arouse farmers’ suspicion. Besides,
the forest is very far from villagers farmlands, so no one could easily see our
victims.”
Business, according to him, sometimes went sour,
particularly when they discovered that their victims were poor. “Most times, it
was women that turned out to be poor victims. And these people were usually
those kidnapped outside Igbanke. Any time such persons were kidnapped, we would
allow them to go because our purpose of kidnapping in the first place was to
make money.”
particularly when they discovered that their victims were poor. “Most times, it
was women that turned out to be poor victims. And these people were usually
those kidnapped outside Igbanke. Any time such persons were kidnapped, we would
allow them to go because our purpose of kidnapping in the first place was to
make money.”
Asked what he used the money realised from the illicit
business for, he replied in a harsh tone: “Ah! Ah! Why are you asking me such
question? Am I not a family man? It is expected that I should have expenses as
a family man. I have a wife and two children who are students.”
business for, he replied in a harsh tone: “Ah! Ah! Why are you asking me such
question? Am I not a family man? It is expected that I should have expenses as
a family man. I have a wife and two children who are students.”
When asked if his wife was aware that he was into
kidnapping, he replied: “No, she was not. I did not even give her any
reasonable amount any time business boomed, or must I tell my wife everything?
She does not have to know everything about me simply because she is my wife.
Whenever I went out for an operation, whether at night or in the day time, I
didn’t need her approval. And whenever I returned, she won’t ask me where I
went to.”
kidnapping, he replied: “No, she was not. I did not even give her any
reasonable amount any time business boomed, or must I tell my wife everything?
She does not have to know everything about me simply because she is my wife.
Whenever I went out for an operation, whether at night or in the day time, I
didn’t need her approval. And whenever I returned, she won’t ask me where I
went to.”
Beginning of kidnapping career, arrest
“I started kidnapping since 2012 and we were more than eight
initially. Some of our members are no longer in Nigeria. “But whenever business
was low, I focused on my welding job”, he said without feeling remorseful.
initially. Some of our members are no longer in Nigeria. “But whenever business
was low, I focused on my welding job”, he said without feeling remorseful.
Arrested alongside Amiehi were Usiagwu Stephen (68),
Jeremiah Amayo (40), Samson Idegbema (39), Eboigbe Monday, Ejimeh Oyairie (55),
Benjamin Blessing (27) and Odion Otabo (40). Some of them confessed their
culpability in several kidnaps in the state while others claimed to be victims of circumstance, appealing to
the police to pardon them.
Jeremiah Amayo (40), Samson Idegbema (39), Eboigbe Monday, Ejimeh Oyairie (55),
Benjamin Blessing (27) and Odion Otabo (40). Some of them confessed their
culpability in several kidnaps in the state while others claimed to be victims of circumstance, appealing to
the police to pardon them.
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