A man identified as John from Amachara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, has been arrested by the Abia State Police Command for orchestrating his own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of three million naira from his relatives.
John, as reported by the police, had taken refuge at Wisdom Guest House while negotiating the ransom with his family members.
However, his plan was foiled by the Police Surveillance and Intelligence strategy.
According to a statement issued by ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Commissioner of Police, the fake kidnapping victim had initially demanded three million naira but later reduced the ransom to two million naira before his arrest.
The incident was reported on November 13, 2023, when family members informed the police that John Male, residing in Amachara Umuahia, had allegedly been kidnapped by unknown assailants while attempting to withdraw money along Bank Road in Umuahia.
Responding promptly to the report, the Abia State Police initiated immediate action. Through surveillance intelligence, the police traced the purported kidnapping to Umuahiah, leading them to Wisdom Guest House, where Mr. John was discovered.
Examinations revealed no signs of external involvement in the alleged kidnapping.
Mr. John eventually confessed to masterminding the entire scheme, admitting that he demanded a ransom of three million naira initially, which was later negotiated down to two million naira from his family.
His desperation to raise funds and clear substantial debts was cited as the motive behind this deceptive act. The matter is currently under discreet investigation, as disclosed by ASP Maureen Chinaka.
