15-year-old boy has allegedly staged his own kidnap and demanded N500,000 as a ransom.
The suspect, who was paraded in Jos on Thursday, said: “I was the one who initiated the plan and not my friends. I wanted my father to give me money for clothes and to also celebrate my graduation.”
The Commissioner of Police, Plateau Command, Isaac Akinmoyede, said five persons were arrested in a case of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping, including the victim, who staged his own kidnap.
According to the police chief, the father of the victim, Jerry Vichi, had on July 19 reported at ‘A’ Division, Jos that his son, working as an apprentice at a motor vehicle electrical wiring shop, did not return home after the day’s job.
The boy’s father reported that he received a phone call from a hidden number informing him that his son had been kidnapped and taken away from Jos.
“The father said that the caller demanded N500,000 ransom and threatened the boy’s life,” said Akinmoyede.
Akinmoyede added that the command had arrested 44 suspects in connection with alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide, and other cult-related activities as part of its efforts to protect lives and property of the people of the state.
“We have arrested 11 notorious kidnap suspects and a syndicate responsible for the recent kidnap at Plateau State Polytechnic Staff quarters, Haipang, Zawan and other places in Jos South Local Government Area.
“We have also arrested two suspects in a case of threat to life and kidnapping at Bokkos Local Government Area and another for criminal activities, armed robbery and allegedly belonging to an unlawful society, with a locally-made pistol and two live ammunition recovered.
“Three suspects for culpable homicide and cult-related offences were also arrested for shooting one Chinedu Okoye dead at Chorbe junction in Jos North Local Government Area, while other armed robbery suspects were also apprehended,” he explained.
saharareporters.com