A 19-year-old notorious kidnapper is apprehended by police, leading to the rescue of two teenage victims in a successful operation.
On Wednesday, November 27, police officers from the Oba Divisional Headquarters in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State apprehended a notorious kidnapper along with three accomplices. This arrest followed the payment of a ₦200,000 ransom for freeing two victims.
The operation, carried out at approximately 11:54 a.m., also resulted in the rescue of two teenage victims, aged between 15 and 19 years old, who had been held captive in Oba.
The police reported that initial investigations showed the main suspect, 19-year-old Ifechukwu Ibesimako from Aboji Village in Oba, and his accomplices used social media to attract victims under the guise of friendship.
After capturing the victims, the gang insisted on ransom payments from their families prior to releasing them.
The arrest also revealed the group’s prior criminal activities, such as a previous case involving another female victim who had paid a ransom and was subsequently released.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed that an arrest and rescue operation had taken place. He revealed that Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Anti-Kidnapping and Robbery Squad for comprehensive investigations.
The police have also cautioned young people to be careful when engaging with strangers on the internet, aiming to prevent them from becoming victims of such schemes. This incident underscores the continuous efforts by law enforcement to tackle kidnapping and maintain safety in the area.
