A residential duplex in Benin City that was allegedly connected to kidnapping and organ harvesting has been demolished by the government of Edo State.
Fred Itua, who serves as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Monday Okpebholo, provided this information in a statement that was published on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Benin.
A young woman was kidnapped and murdered for the purpose of organ harvesting, according to him, and the property that was demolished was the location of the terrible crime.
The statement reads, “The building was where the crime occurred, and it is owned by the father of the suspect, who has also made useful statements to the authorities.
“His Excellency has directed that this is only the beginning. More buildings used for criminal activities will be demolished. This is backed by existing laws enacted by the present administration.
“This is not a political witch-hunt. These buildings were used for acts that contravene the laws of Edo State.
“The Governor has made it clear that anyone involved in cultism or related crimes will face the full force of the law.”
Martins Oghenewore, the father of the accused kidnapper and organ harvester—who also owns the building where the crime was perpetrated, described the horrifying moment he found out about the murder.
“On the 23rd of this month, while returning home, my wife called to inform me that our son had murdered a woman in his quarters. I immediately reported to the police, who followed me home and helped convey the corpse to the mortuary. I’ve been in police custody since then.
“My 28-year-old son had long exhibited troubling behaviour. I trained him from primary school through university in Ekpoma. For over a decade, he has been a problem. I took him to rehab, neuropsychiatric centres, and even traditional healers.
“He rarely slept at home, drank excessively, and was often missing. Now he has destroyed everything I worked for. This house was my retirement plan, and now I’m watching it being torn down. It’s heartbreaking.”
According to the Chief Press Secretary, the suspect was found in Lagos, and authorities have confirmed that human body parts were retrieved from him. He elaborated by saying that investigations are continuing since the administration is making a concerted effort to eradicate cultism and kidnappings in the state.
According to Itua, cult groups were the reason for sealing off the Externo Hotel, which was owned by Hon Mathew Iduoriyekemwen. Iduoriyekemwen was the campaign director-general for Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for governor in the 21 September 2024 election.Â
Claims made by Itua that Governor Okpebholo made about cults using the hotel and the destroyed land as staging areas for assaults that killed multiple people were confirmed.
Edo Government demolishes building linked to kidnapping, organ harvesting