ABIA: Why I Kidnapped Myself, Demanded Ransom From My Family – Suspect
A suspect identified only as John, has been arrested by the Abia state police command for staging his own kidnap and demanding for N3million ransom from his family.
John who hails from Amachara, in Umuahia south Local Government Area of Abia state, was allegedly kidnapped on November 13 when he went to withdraw money from an ATM along bank road in Umuahia.
According to a press statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the suspect hid himself at Wisdom Guest House, from where he was demanding ransom which he later reduced to N2million.
The statement read;
“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”.
“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.
