Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, attached to the Nsukka Sector of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, have arrested four male suspects for conspiracy, staging a fake kidnapping, and defrauding the victim’s parents of N2,000,000.
The suspects—21-year-old Chidera Godwin Ako, who masterminded his own abduction; 19-year-old Okechukwu Philip Chidalu; 20-year-old Ifeanyi Ugwu; and 35-year-old Ossai Chigozie, a recently released ex-convict—were apprehended around 1 p.m. on May 24, 2025. Police recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges during the arrest.
According to investigations, Chidera was declared missing on May 4. On May 21, his accomplices contacted his parents using his phone, demanding a N10 million ransom and sending a video showing Chidera tied up, appearing to have been beaten, with a gun aimed at him. Distressed, the parents transferred N1.5 million on May 22, but their son was not released. An additional N500,000 payment was made before police tracked and arrested the group at a POS centre while they attempted to withdraw the funds.
The suspects confessed and will be arraigned after investigations are concluded.
Confirming the arrest, police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, described the incident as deeply troubling. He has ordered further investigations to identify any other individuals involved. The public was urged to promptly report suspected kidnappings and avoid quick ransom payments, as some may be staged.
