Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have detained a young lady, Imaobong Sampson and her boyfriend, Beltus Ebong, for staging her own kidnap and demanding N4 million ransom.
Imaobong Sampson, from Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, was among several suspects paraded over the weekend for sundry crimes including murder, cultism, armed robbery and trafficking in children by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Waheed Ayilara.
Narrating what led to her detention, the suspect said she staged her own abduction to raise cash to solve myriad of problems including feeding, debts and other prevailing life’s challenges.
“Because of this difficult period, I had to stage fake kidnapping of myself demanding N4 million from my aunty who lives abroad,” she confessed in an interview with journalists.
Recalling how the fraud was busted, the CP said, “The anti-kidnapping squad received a report on March 11, 2024 from one Enobong Sampson, a female, of Nung Oku in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, that her sister was kidnapped. Next day, March 12, the purported kidnapped victim, Imaobong Sampson and her boyfriend were arrested in her hideout at Mbierebe Obio in Ibesikpo Asutan.
“She confessed to have conspired with her boyfriend, one Beltus Ebong, alongside one Dominic Friday Charlie; her sister, Enobong Sampson and Inyene Ime Akpan, now at large to proclaim her kidnap in order to raise money from her aunty who is based abroad.”
Besides, the CP said four other kidnapped victims were rescued during the raid, adding that no fewer than 52 other suspects were arrested within the last one month that he assumed duties in the state.
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