The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police has said a man is in their net for faking his kidnap and demanding N3 million ransom from his family.
In a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the command said, “On the 13th of November 2023, reports got to the police by family members that One John (male) of Amachara Umuahia was allegedly kidnapped by unknown assailants as he went to withdraw money along Bank Road in Umuahia”.
According to the PPRO, “Responding swiftly to the report, the Abia State Police took immediate action. Utilizing surveillance intelligence, the police traced the purported kidnapping to Umuahia.
“Reaching the specified location, the police discovered Mr John at Wisdom Guest House. Examination revealed no evidence of external involvement in the alleged kidnapping”.
Chinaka said “Mr. John confessed to orchestrating his kidnap and demanding 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 his substantial debts. The matter is under discreet investigation”.
“The public is hereby advised to desist from such criminal acts. Perpetrators are subject to the full extent of the law, with a felony charge and a potential ten years imprisonment,” she warned.
