Man lures friend into kidnappers den, collects ransom in dollars equivalence of N5.3m

A man identified as Victor Chekwube Muanaenye has been arrested for allegedly luring his friend into being kidnapped.

According to a press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Victor and his gang collected ransom in dollar from his friend, which totalled the sum of N5.3million.

Ikenga in the release said: “The suspect during interrogation confessed to having planned the kidnapping plot by luring his friend to escort him to see another friend.”

The release read: “Police Operatives attached to Uli Divisional Headquarters in the evening of 26th of June 2025 exposed and arrested one Muanaenye Chekwube Victor ‘M’ aged 24 years over a reported case of kidnapping.

“Victor and his criminal gang allegedly abducted their friend and to avoid suspicion pretended to have been kidnapped by his criminal gang.

“The Case which is under investigation revealed that the suspect planned the kidnapping and collected a ransom in dollars equivalent of five million three hundred thousand Naira with his gang members before the victim was released.

“Meanwhile, he is now cooperating with the police, providing information to help apprehend his accomplices and will face prosecution on the conclusion of the investigation.”

Ikenga reiterated that the police command remains committed towards improving safety and security in the State.