The Anambra State Police Command says it arrested three individuals who specialised in sending threatening messages of kidnapping to their victims to extort them of money in different operations across the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Wednesday, stressed that one of the suspects, Chukwuma Obi, was arrested on Tuesday while two others, who were a couple, were arrested in November.
Stressing on Obi’s arrest, the PPRO noted that his arrest followed a report by his victim about unsolicited messages received from the suspect threatening abduction and demanding ransom.
The suspect was said to have claimed membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra to perpetrate his act.
“The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old male from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion. The arrest was made on December 24, 2024, by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu.
“The suspect is accused of demanding a ransom of N1.2m through threats of abduction. The victim reported receiving a menacing message from an individual claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, threatening abduction unless the demanded ransom was paid into a specified account.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the Police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities.”
Ikenga stressed that two other suspects were arrested in November for similar offences of sending threatening messages of abduction to unsuspecting members of the public and extorting them, after which they destroyed SIM cards used for the act.
“This arrest follows a similar case late last month, where the Command apprehended a couple specialising in sending threatening messages and extorting victims under the guise of planned abductions.
“The couple confessed to their crimes and admitted to destroying SIM cards used in their illicit activities.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, reiterated the Command’s commitment to pursuing all cases to a conclusive end to ensure that suspects are apprehended and justice is served,” the PPRO stated.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the police.
