Two Arrested in Anambra for Faking Kidnap to Extort Victim’s Family

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly faking a kidnap in order to extort money from the victim’s family.

The suspects, identified as Chinecherem Nwaokoye, 28, a female student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), and her alleged accomplice, Chinecherem Aronu, 30, were apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at a lodge near the UNIZIK temporary site in Awka.

According to a statement released on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police acted on intelligence following a report of the alleged abduction of Nwaokoye. She had reportedly informed her family on Tuesday, July 8, that she was on her way home but failed to arrive. Her phone remained switched off throughout the day.

On Wednesday, July 9, the family received a call from an unknown male who claimed responsibility for her kidnap and demanded a ransom of ₦10 million. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to ₦3 million, and a part payment of ₦1 million was transferred — notably into the victim’s own bank account.

SP Ikenga said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to staging the abduction. Nwaokoye admitted to masterminding the plan after watching a movie, saying she intended to give the money to her boyfriend to start a business.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered that the suspects be charged to court without delay. He described the incident as a troubling reflection of the growing moral decay among some youths.

“The Command will not tolerate such criminal deception. We urge parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s activities and the kind of influence they are exposed to,” the statement read.