Police Arrest 32-year-old Kidnap Suspect, Recover N1.2m

Operatives of the Anambra state have arrested a suspected member of a kidnap gang.

According to the public relations officer of the Anambra state police command (PPRO), superintendent of police SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspect, 32-year-old Chukwuma Obi, hails from Umuagu village, Igbo-Ukwu, in the Aguata local government area of the state.

The sum of N1.2 million, which he demanded and collected from his victim, whom he called and insisted he should pay the amount into a bank account. Otherwise, he would be kidnapped and recovered from him.

The Anambra state police command image-maker said the suspect was arrested on Christmas Eve by a command’s anti-cultism squad team stationed at Igbo-Ukwu.

He stated the Obi had already confessed during interrogation that he belonged to a gang that claimed membership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that sent threatening messages via telephone to unsuspecting members of the public, payment of a certain amount of money into the bank account numbers they supply to such personas; otherwise, they would be kidnapped.

Ikenga said Obi was arrested after a victim reported to the police command of receiving such a threatening message from an individual claiming to be a member of the IPOB.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities”, Ikenga said.

It would be recalled that the operatives of the state police command had about two months earlier arrested a couple that specialised in a similar crime of sending threatening messages to unsuspecting members of the public demanding them to pay a certain amount of money. Otherwise, they would be kidnapped.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old male from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion. The arrest was made on December 24, 2024, by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu.

The suspect is accused of demanding a ransom of one million, two hundred thousand naira (#1,200,000) through threats of abduction. The victim reported receiving a menacing message from an individual claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), threatening abduction unless the demanded ransom was paid into a specified account.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the Police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities.

This arrest follows a similar case late last month, where the Command apprehended a couple specialising in sending threatening messages and extorting victims under the guise of planned abductions. The couple confessed to their crimes and admitted to destroying SIM cards used in their illicit activities.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, reiterated the Command’s commitment to pursuing all cases to a conclusive end to ensure that suspects are apprehended and justice is served. He emphasised that such efforts are vital in preventing further criminal activities and ensuring the safety and security of residents.

The Anambra State Police Command urges the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines.