A 24-year-old Nigerian man, identified as Muanaenye Victor, has been apprehended by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly masterminding the kidnapping of his own friend in Uli, located in Ihiala Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that Victor cunningly convinced his unsuspecting friend to accompany him on what appeared to be an innocent visit to someone. Unknown to the victim, this was a carefully planned setup designed to hand him over to a dangerous criminal gang waiting at the location.
Once the friend was handed over, the gang forcefully held him captive and later reached out to his family, demanding a huge ransom for his safe release. The victim’s family was reportedly left traumatized and had to raise money under intense pressure.
Investigations revealed that the gang succeeded in extorting a ransom amounting to the equivalent of ₦5.3 million in dollars from the family before finally letting the victim go.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and Victor’s arrest in an official statement issued on Sunday. He stated that the suspect is currently assisting the police with valuable information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal syndicate involved in the kidnapping.
This shocking betrayal has sparked outrage among community members, who described Victor’s actions as a severe breach of trust and a dangerous trend that threatens the safety of friendships and social relationships in the region.
Authorities have assured the public that every effort is being made to apprehend all those connected to the crime and bring them to justice, while urging citizens to be vigilant and cautious even with those they consider close.
Source: PUNCH Online