By Olayinka Owolabi
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for faking a kidnap and recovered the sum of ₦1.2million, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the alleged kidnapped victim’s family members.
In a release issued on Saturday by the State Command Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrest of two suspects by Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.
The suspects who the Police identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested, after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike, her boyfriend, to stage her own abduction.
The operatives also recovered the sum of ₦1,200,000, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the girl’s family members.
Further information reveals that the suspects demanded ₦15,000,000 ransom, and after negotiation, ₦3,000,000) was transferred into the victim’s account.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of moral decadence in the society.
The statement quoted the CP as saying “the incident is a reflection of the rising moral decay in the society, where young people are increasingly resorting to criminality for selfish gains.”
“The CP also warned youths against engaging in self-destructive ventures, stressing that the long arm of the law will always catch up with criminals, no matter how cleverly disguised their schemes may be,” the statement added.
He urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to intensify efforts in inculcating discipline, integrity, and sound values in their children and wards.
