In a deeply tragic and shocking incident, a businessman in Edo State, identified simply as Mr. Henry, has been brutally murdered by his own workers after they kidnapped him and received a ransom from his family.
The heartbreaking crime has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious concerns about employee trust and rising insecurity in parts of southern Nigeria.
According to reports, Mr. Henry was abducted by a group of men who worked under him. The kidnappers demanded a ransom, which his distraught family promptly paid in hopes of securing his release. However, in a cruel twist of events, the suspects went ahead to kill Mr. Henry even after collecting the ransom.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced that five suspects have been identified in connection with the crime.
Suspect Confesses to Murder
One of the suspects, 33-year-old Samuel, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, has confessed to his role in the kidnapping and subsequent murder.
“The suspect confessed to the kidnap. After receiving the ransom, he killed the victim,” the police stated.
Even more disturbing, the suspects continued to extort the family after the killing, pretending Mr. Henry was still alive in order to extract more money.
Mr. Henry’s son recounted his ordeal, saying:
“After we gave them money, one of them told me he would show me where my father’s body was, and I sent him money again.”
“After sending the first money, we didn’t hear from the people we paid. Their numbers stopped going through.”
It was only later that the horrifying truth emerged — the businessman had been killed shortly after the initial ransom was received.
Justice in Progress
The police have assured the public that all suspects involved in the case will be charged to court once investigations are concluded. The Edo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to bringing justice to the grieving family and ensuring that all parties involved face the full weight of the law.
This incident underscores a troubling trend of employee betrayal, kidnappings for ransom, and increased violent crimes in Nigeria’s southern states. It also calls attention to the importance of thorough background checks in business operations and the urgent need for improved security measures, particularly in Edo State.
