Ehis Jonah, a 26-year-old suspect, has been arrested in connection with the train station attack and kidnapping in Igueben, Edo Central Senatorial District, on January 7, 2023. Jonah was among 12 suspects presented by the Edo State Police Command in Benin, the state capital, on Friday, for various crimes.
During an interview with journalists, Jonah admitted he was contacted to provide logistics for the other suspects using his motorcycle, earning N2 million from the crime. He stated, “I am a motorcycle rider, and I was approached by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to transport him and others to the train station for the kidnapping. He promised to pay me, so I took them there. After everything, he gave me N2 million, saying it was my share of the proceeds.”
Edo State police spokesman, Moses Yamu, stated that Jonah was arrested on September 1, 2024, after a surveillance patrol stopped a motorcycle carrying him and two others.
He added, “During interrogation, a Tecno Spark 9 phone in their possession rang. On a hands-free call, the caller mentioned that the phone’s owner, Gazali Hassan, went missing on August 31 with his motorcycle. An investigation revealed that the suspects had killed Gazali Hassan and stolen his motorcycle.”
The police spokesman said officers were dispatched to the crime scene along the Idumoza pipeline in Uromi, where they recovered the corpse. He added, “Further investigation led to the arrest of seven more suspects involved in terrorizing Edo Central, including the robbery at Osigholo filling station and the attack and kidnapping at Igueben train station. The investigation continues to arrest the remaining syndicate members and recover their weapons.”
