By Halimah Olamide
Police operatives in Delta State have arrested a 400-level student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, identified as Nelson Eserada, for faking his own abduction.
The suspect, who was arrested alongside one Jerry Lawrence on Monday, June 10, was said to had demanded a ransom of N50 million in bitcoin.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe in a statement on Thursday, June 13, said that the suspect’s father had already paid a sum of N5 million through a bitcoin account belonging to Lawrence.
Meanwhile, he was arrested following a report lodged by his father that his son had been abducted.
According to the police, “Following complaints received from the father of one Nelson Eserada ‘M’ at Abraka Division that his son Nelson Eserada was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of Fifty million naira (#50,000,000) in bitcoin.
The suspect also sent a video of the supposed victim tid and being tortured.
The DPO Abraka SP Fabian Ayameh swiftly moved into action, embarked on a technical intelligence-led investigation and on 10/06/2024 at about 2000hrs, one Jerry Lawrence ‘M’ of Jeddo Community Warri was arrested in connection with the crime.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with the said Nelson Eserada a 400 Level Student of Banking & Finance Department of the Delta State University Abraka and that the father had already paid the sum of Five Million and Two Hundred Thousand Naira ransom through a Bitcoin account belonging to the principal suspect Jerry Lawrence.
“The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing” the police said.