A 33-year-old man, Anthony Egidi, has said he
joined kidnapping business in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, out of frustration
and had made millions from kidnapping no fewer than seven persons in Lagos,
Benin, and in Delta State.
According to the Police, other
suspects include Steve, Tony, Nyerowo, Steve and late Apopfure, who died during
a gun duel with police in Lagos.
suspects include Steve, Tony, Nyerowo, Steve and late Apopfure, who died during
a gun duel with police in Lagos.
It was gathered that the suspects
operated with two AK-47 rifle and three local guns, which have been recovered
from them.
operated with two AK-47 rifle and three local guns, which have been recovered
from them.
Egidi was arrested on October 26 in
Ekenwan, Benin, Edo State, by Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led
by Abba Kyarri.
Ekenwan, Benin, Edo State, by Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led
by Abba Kyarri.
His story
Egidi, who is a native of Delta
State and married with two children, resides at Awoyaya Ibeju, Lekki Road, said
his first operation was “when we kidnapped a woman in Warri, Delta State on
October 2011 and I got N280,000.
State and married with two children, resides at Awoyaya Ibeju, Lekki Road, said
his first operation was “when we kidnapped a woman in Warri, Delta State on
October 2011 and I got N280,000.
“During the first and second
operations, the gang did not disclose the venue to me. They blindfolded me
because I was new in the team.
operations, the gang did not disclose the venue to me. They blindfolded me
because I was new in the team.
“After the second job, we moved to
Benin to kidnap a man. I was given N100,000. I believed it was a cool business.
Benin to kidnap a man. I was given N100,000. I believed it was a cool business.
“The third operation made me a
millionaire, because I was given N2.8 million.
millionaire, because I was given N2.8 million.
“I drove the gang in that operation,
but I did not know where they kept the woman. We collected N9 million in the
fourth operation. When we kidnapped a man in Benin, I was also given N1.5
million.
but I did not know where they kept the woman. We collected N9 million in the
fourth operation. When we kidnapped a man in Benin, I was also given N1.5
million.
“We moved to Delta State between
Oroku and Abeh Road, where we kidnapped a man. I was given N3.5 million.
Oroku and Abeh Road, where we kidnapped a man. I was given N3.5 million.
“After making millions of naira in
South-East, we moved to South-West. Our sixth operation was at Eleko Junction,
Ajah in June. We collected N1.6 million ransom from the person and I was given
300,000.
South-East, we moved to South-West. Our sixth operation was at Eleko Junction,
Ajah in June. We collected N1.6 million ransom from the person and I was given
300,000.
“The seventh operation was when we
kidnapped a Keystone Bank worker on her way home. We were seven when we
attacked her.
kidnapped a Keystone Bank worker on her way home. We were seven when we
attacked her.
“We took her to a bush, where she
spent six days. We did not rape her. We gave her everything she requested for
and we usually buy her food from Mr. Biggs and some other places.
spent six days. We did not rape her. We gave her everything she requested for
and we usually buy her food from Mr. Biggs and some other places.
“We told her family to pay N6
million. Even the woman was ready to give us N10 million.
million. Even the woman was ready to give us N10 million.
“One of our guys was arrested when
he went to collect the money. When police arrived, we exchanged fire with them
and lost two members.
he went to collect the money. When police arrived, we exchanged fire with them
and lost two members.
“I used the money to buy a car, four
plots of land in Benin, one plot in Lagos and opened a supermarket for my wife.
plots of land in Benin, one plot in Lagos and opened a supermarket for my wife.
“My wife believed I was a welder.
She only got to know what I do when I was arrested.”
She only got to know what I do when I was arrested.”