
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 32-year-old Chukwuma Obi, who allegedly threatened to kidnap a victim unless a ransom of N1.2 million was paid.
According to a statement released by the police on December 25, 2024, Obi, a resident of Umuagu Village in Aguata Local Government Area, posed as a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while attempting to extort money from the victim. The suspect demanded that the victim deposit the ransom into a specified bank account or face abduction.
The arrest occurred on December 24, 2024, when officers from the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu, apprehended Obi in connection with the attempted kidnapping. The victim had reported receiving threatening messages from the suspect, claiming he was an IPOB member and warning of an abduction unless the ransom was paid.
During questioning, Obi admitted to the crime and is currently aiding the police in identifying other members of the gang involved in the scheme.
This arrest follows a similar case in November, where a couple was detained for extorting victims under the guise of planned kidnappings. The couple, who had been sending threatening messages, confessed to the crime and disclosed they had destroyed the SIM cards used in their operations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has assured the public that the police will continue to pursue such cases to completion, ensuring that justice is served and public safety is maintained. He urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through emergency lines.
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