Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of Enugu State Police Command Nsukka have arrested a 21-year-old man, Chidera Godwin Ako for arranging his own kidnapping.
The Command also arrested his three other accomplices over alleged conspiracy and defrauding Ako’s parents of ₦2 million.
The three suspects who were said to be ex-convicts include Okechukwu Philip Chidalu, aged 19; Ifeanyi Ugwu, aged 20; and Ossai Chigozie, aged 35.
Spokesman of the Police in Enugu, SP Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the arrest of the suspects, adding that a locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from them.
Ndukwe stated that Chidera was reported missing on May 4, 2025, adding that his accomplices on May 21, 2025, used his phone to demand a ₦10 million ransom from his parents, sending a video of him bound, appearing beaten, with the recovered gun pointed at him.
He stated that the parents pleaded for his release and paid ₦1,500,000.00 into a provided account, on May 22, 2025, but the suspects failed to release him.
The suspects were however arrested after an additional ₦500,000.00 payment as police operatives swiftly arrested Chidera and his accomplices at a PoS centre while attempting to withdraw the funds.
“The suspects confessed to the crime and will be arraigned upon completion of investigations,” Ndukwe said.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa who described the criminal act as unfortunate has ordered further arrests of anyone linked to the crime.
CP Giwa urged the public to report suspected kidnappings immediately and avoid hasty ransom payments, emphasising that some cases, like this one, may be staged.
