- Safiu Kehinde
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old vulcanizer, Idris Isiaka, for staging his own abduction and demanding ransom from his family.
This is coming few days after one Obehi Odine was apprehended at Ekpoma Division for staging her own kidnap and demanding for ransom of N10 million.
In the same vein, Idris who resides at Balogun Street, Emaudo Community, Ekpoma deliberately staged his own kidnap along with two others last week Saturday.
As disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the artisan engineered the circulation of his kidnap on social media through a blogger and demanded a ransom of N12 million.
His family in Kogi State was further contacted, threatening that he will be killed if the ransom was not paid.
In a bid to raise the ransom fee, his brother reportedly sold his property and paid part of the ransom money which was shared with his accomplices, one Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, both of whom are currently at large.
Following his arrest, the self-kidnap suspect confessed to the crime with the police vowing to arraign him in court after investigation.
The Edo Police Command expressed concern over the growing trend of individuals staging their own kidnapping and making false ransom demands, particularly within Ekpoma and its environs.
In response, the Command has intensified intelligence-led investigations and enforcement actions to curb this disturbing development.
The command however commended the concerned youths of Ekpoma for their timely intelligence and cooperation which, according to the statement, significantly contributed to the arrest as it called of the emulation of their action by other communities.
“Their action should be emulated as it underscores the importance of community safety partnership in effective policing.
“The Command therefore urges youths and community members to continually key into this initiative by channeling their youthful energy and strength towards supporting lawful security efforts, timely information sharing, and the promotion of peace and safety within their communities.” The statement partly read.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, strongly warned individuals engaging or contemplating self-kidnapping, false abduction claims, or ransom-related frauds to desist from such acts.
Agbonika maintained that they do not only constitute serious criminal offences but also create unnecessary panic and divert critical scarce security resources from genuine complaints.