CITIZENS COMPASS— Contrary to the claims by the Edo State Police Command that its operatives rescued the Chief Imam of Uromi Central Mosque in the State, Imam Muhammad Murtadha Obhakhobo, without paying a random, the Islamic leader has debunked this saying he paid N6.5m ransom.
The Chief Imam was kidnapped at Uromi on July 9, 2026, with his kidnappers demanding a ransom of N30 million.
Earlier, spokesperson for the Command, CSP Moses Yamu, in a statement said that the Islamic leader was released following sustained pressure mounted by its operatives.
But the Chief Imam in an interactive session with journalists, said contrary to the police claim, he paid ransom to the kidnappers.
He said, “I am Imam Muhammad Murtadha Obhakhobo, the Chief Imam of Uromi Central Mosque in Edo Central, I was kidnapped on July, 9, 2025 along the Ubiaja-Illushi road.
“I got myself released by paying N6.5 million on July 13, but I was shocked to read in the news that I was rescued by the police.”
The cleric said upon his return from captivity, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Uromi Division visited him to gather information, which he provided.
He said after explaining what transpired to the DPO, he was surprised to see the police “trying to take credit for doing nothing.
“My release was as a result of private efforts and the payment of substantial ransom and not the efforts of the police.”
