A Nigerian man, simply identified as John, who hails from Amachara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, has been arrested.
The man was nabbed by the Abia State Police Command for faking his own kidnap and demanding three million naira from his relatives as ransom.
John, according to the police, lodged at Wisdom Guest House from where he was negotiating his ransom payment with his relatives, before he was apprehended by the Police Surveillance and Intelligence strategy.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka for the Commissioner of Police, said that the fake kidnap victim had reduced the three million naira ransom money he demanded, to two million naira, before he was arrested.
“On the 13th of November 2023, reports got to the police by family members that One John Male of Amachara Umuahiah was allegedly kidnapped by unknown assailants as he went to withdraw money along Bank Road in Umuahia.
“Responding swiftly to the report, the Abia State Police took immediate action. Utilizing surveillance intelligence, the police traced the purported kidnapping to Umuahiah.
“Reaching the specified location, the police discovered Mr John at Wisdom Guest House. Examination revealed no evidence of external involvement in the alleged kidnapping.
“Mr. John confessed to orchestrating his kidnap and demanded a ransom of 3 million naira, which after negotiation reduced to 2 million naira from his family, as a desperate measure to raise funds to clear substantial debts. The matter is under discreet investigation,” she said.
