The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a young woman, Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, and her boyfriend, Chibuike Ogbu, for faking her own kidnap in order to extort money from her parents.
Police investigations revealed that the 23-year-old Nmesoma staged the abduction with her 24-year-old lover, Chibuike, and demanded ₦15 million from her family. After negotiations, the family transferred ₦3 million into her account.
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, who trailed the suspects through intelligence-led operations, recovered ₦1.2 million, part of the ransom already paid before the plot was uncovered.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrests and recovery.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the act, describing it as evidence of worsening moral decadence among youths.
“The incident is a sad reflection of moral decay, where young people are increasingly resorting to criminality for selfish purposes. But the long arm of the law will always catch up with offenders,” he warned.
The CP further called on parents, guardians, and religious leaders to instill discipline, integrity, and sound moral values in their children to prevent such vices.
