Officers of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested two persons including a ‘pastor’ for faking a kidnap at Trikaniya, Kudandan areas of Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, on Wednesday, gave the names of the suspects as Pastor James Clement and Mr George Otokpa, explaining that Otokpa demanded the sum N5m from the family of Clement.
Sabo added that the arrest followed a report lodged by Clement’s family members, explaining that the anti-kidnapping squad of the command swung into action immediately to apprehend the duo.
The police spokesman said the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, condemned the action, warning residents against such.
The police chief said, “On 27th January 2020 at about 1917hrs, one Pastor James Clement ‘m’ 39yrs of Nasarawa Tirkaniya Kaduna and George Otokpa ‘m’ of No. 23 Aleri Water by Sarki Street Kudandan in Chikun Local Government Area, were arrested by the operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for allegedly conspiring, faking the kidnap of the first suspect and demanding the payment of five Million Naira (₦5,000,000) as ransom from his own family through text messages using the 2nd suspect as the negotiator.
“The arrest followed a report made by two members of the family of the fake kidnapped victim about the kidnap of their relation.
“The suspect, Clement James, was tracked and arrested at his hide-out where he hid and conspired with his friend George Otokpa ‘m’ 22yrs (the 2nd suspect) to engage his family in negotiation for ransom.
“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court on completion of investigation accordingly.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Umar M. Muri condemns such criminal mentality and cautions members of the Public against such heartless and barbaric act.
“The CP assures the good people of Kaduna State that the command will use the evidence against the suspects in the court of law to serve as deterrence to other people with a similar criminal mind.”