A man from Amachara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, simply identified as John, was apprehended by the Abia State Police Command for faking his own kidnapping and demanding three million naira as ransom from his relatives.
According to the authorities, John was staying in Wisdom Guest House and negotiating his ransom payment with his relatives before being arrested by the authorities Surveillance and Intelligence strategy.
According to a statement made for the Commissioner of Police by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the false kidnap victim had lowered the three million naira ransom money he requested to two million naira before he was detained.
“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.