The ringleader of a criminal gang that has reportedly been terrorising cocoa farmers in Gbelebu community located on the fringes of Okomu Palm Plantation in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State has been arrested by police operatives in the State capital.
The suspect, identified as Joshua Owiekan, was said to have been arrested on the Sapele-Warri road along with one of his accomplices.
“They killed a farmer, called ‘Alausa’ sometime last year over his refusal to give them money and also on the allegation that he was obstructing their criminal enterprise in the area. A head farmer’s wife was kidnapped and held hostage for over three weeks, and until ransom was paid she was not released.”
Nonetheless, the petitioners further demanded justice for the killing of their kinsman and for the several robbery operations targeted at cocoa farmers as well as the dehumanization of women who were taken hostage.
The State Police Command spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the arrest said the kingpin was in police custody. “Yes, we have him in our custody,” he said.
He stated that “He was coming from Bayelsa State and was arrested during a stop-and-search on the Warri-Sapele road with two locally made pistols recovered from his vehicle.
