How A Nigerian Hunter Sold His Own Friend To Kidnappers In Edo

Police in Edo State have arrested a 45-year-old hunter, Kehinde Adetunji, for allegedly selling his farmer friend, Edafe Oghenekome, to kidnappers and collecting a N45 million ransom.

Oghenekome was shot dead and left to rot in the bush after he recognised his friend while sharing ransom with his abductors.

Adetunji plied his hunting business at Utese Village, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area and struck a friendship with late Oghenekome, a pineapple farmer.

He informed some herders in the bush that Oghenekome recently sold pineapple worth millions of naira and kidnappers abducted Oghenekome and his sister last month.

The kidnappers released Favour but stopped communication about Oghenekome after collecting the ransom.

The state Police Command spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police Eno Ikoedem, said diligent investigation led to the arrest of Abdulsalam Mohammadu.

Ikoedem said it was Mohammadu that led operatives to the arrest of other three suspects, including Adetunji.

They led Police detectives to the spot where the body of Oghenekome was left to rot away.

The report indicated that on February 4, this year, two persons — Edafe Oghenekome, 42, and one Favour Ighasa — were kidnapped from their residence at Utese Village, after Udo Community, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State.

Subsequently, one of the victims, Favour, regained her freedom on February 9, this year, while the abductors ceased communication on the release of Edafe Kome.