By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City
The Edo State Police Command has denied reports that it arrested two suspected kidnappers dressed in police uniforms in Ibilo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, made this known to our correspondent while reacting to the report on Monday.
According to online reports, the two men had been arrested at the home of a former local government chairman, Folorusho Akerejola, whom they had allegedly trailed last Friday.
They were also said to have been beaten up before they were handed over the police.
But Nkombe, who identified the men as policemen on patrol, said that they were attacked after a suspect, who was on the run from a neighbouring state, raised a false alarm that he was being chased by kidnappers.
He explained, “They were not kidnappers. They were policemen who pursued a felon into Edo State. It was the person they were pursuing that raised that alarm; the person failed to stop, so he was pursued across the border into Edo State.
“Because he felt that he was in his area in Edo State, he raised an alarm. He was just being mischievous.”
The PPRO said that the identities of the said policemen were confirmed after they were invited some police officers in the area.
He noted the policemen, who suffered minor injuries due to the beating, were released while the suspected was arrested.
“Our men sent for them. They were brought in after they were attacked and it was discovered that they were policemen. It was confirmed from their command and they were released.”
“The felon was invited by the police and he is helping the police in the investigation. It was not a case of kidnapping at all,” Nkombe added
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