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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The police in Ebonyi State have arrested a man, Ajah Ikechukwu, in Ngwogwo Community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of the state, for allegedly faking his abduction.
The suspect was said to have demanded N25 million in ransom from his family after the false abduction and settled for N1 million, which was allegedly paid into his account by the family.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hope Urunwa Okafor, told journalists on Thursday at the police headquarters, Abakaliki, that the suspect subsequently contacted his family members after the incident for ransom, demanding ₦25,000,000 (twenty-five million naira) as ransom.
“He provided his bank account number into which his family transferred ₦1,000,000 (one million naira).
“Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, the suspect was eventually arrested.
“During interrogation, he confessed to having orchestrated the purported kidnapping and ransom demand.
“The command reiterates that the deliberate staging of kidnappings and the extortion of unsuspecting family members under false pretences are serious criminal offences and will be investigated and prosecuted,” she said.
Okafor revealed that the command received a distress call from a police officer who reported that he had been attacked by three armed men while returning from work in his vehicle.
She said the hoodlums accosted the policeman and attempted to force open his vehicle but were unsuccessful.
“They subsequently fled the scene upon sighting approaching police operatives.
“The same hoodlums later kidnapped one Chigbo Lucy but were intercepted around Ebebe Junction. The victim was rescued unhurt, while the suspects fled into the surrounding area.
“One of the suspects, identified as Stephen Job, was subsequently arrested. During the course of the investigation, police operatives conducted a search of his residence and recovered the following items: One locally made pistol; thirteen live cartridges; one black mask; one pair of black gloves; and assorted charms.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice,” she said.
