The Anambra State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of two female victims, ages 15 and 19, who were abducted following a social media relationship.
The statement revealed that the victims were said to have been held hostage after being lured by a 19-year-old male, Ifechukwu Ibesimako, a native of Aboji Village, Oba, along with three other accomplices.
On 27 November, at 11:54 am, the security men attached to the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters of the Idemili South Local Government Area apprehended the kidnapper along with his three accomplices after the sum of N200 thousand was paid as ransom.
The rescued kidnapped victims are from Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The statement read, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, one Ifechukwu Ibesimako (M) aged 19 years of Aboji Village Oba, and other three accomplices lured their victims through social media chats by proposing friendship to them and holding them hostage until their relatives pay a certain amount to their gang before they are released.”
Further revelations exposed that a female victim was earlier released a few months ago after a ransom was paid for her release.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesman, stated, “The arrest of the suspect and his accomplice brought more revelations of their criminal activities in the area and a report of another female victim who had already paid ransom and was released months ago.”
Addressing this issue, Nnaghe Itam, the Commissioner of Police (CP), advised teeming youths to beware of social media friendship.
Meanwhile, CP Itam ordered the case to be transferred with immediate effect to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad of the Command for thorough investigations.
