The Edo State government has demolished the house of a suspected kidnapper, Oboh Odianosen, following his arrest and confession to his crimes.
The demolition, carried out by the state’s Task Force against Kidnapping on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, took place in Uromi, Esan North Local Government Area.
Before his house was reduced to rubble, Odianosen admitted to his role in the abduction of a man in Ekpoma. He revealed that he and his five-man gang kidnapped the victim and took him into a forest in Uromi, where they held him for three days until his family paid a ₦5 million ransom.
"My name is Odianosen Oboh. This is my house. My father started the building, but I completed it," he said, watching as the demolition began.
Detailing how the crime unfolded, he explained:
"It was my friend, Epama, who involved me in the operation. We kidnapped a man in Ekpoma, but the car we were using broke down. I had to use my motorcycle to transport him into the bush in Uromi, where we kept him until his family paid the ransom."
Odianosen said he received ₦800,000 as his share, which he used to settle debts. However, he expressed regret, blaming his friend for exposing him.
"Epama was arrested and mentioned my name. Now, they are demolishing my father’s house because of ₦800,000. My family has nowhere to live, and my children are stranded. Everyone should stay away from crime," he lamented.
Speaking after the demolition, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, Paul Akhere, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating kidnapping in the state.
"There is no peace for the wicked. Those still engaging in kidnapping should know that the government will not stop hunting them. Your time will come, and we will come for you. We will continue to chase down kidnappers and demolish their properties," he warned.
The Commander of the Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, confirmed that Odianosen and his gang had confessed to the crime, making the demolition inevitable under the law.
This marks the fourth property brought down by the task force as part of Edo State’s intensified crackdown on kidnapping and organized crime.
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