Man fakes own kidnap, demands N3m ransom from his family

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a man identified as John, for faking his kidnap and demanding N3 million ransom from his family.

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said the suspect lodged at a guest house from where he negotiated the ransom payment with his relatives.

According to the PPRO, John had reduced the ransom money to N2m before he was arrested by police operatives.

“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,” the PPRO said.

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“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,”

“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.