The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with conspiracy, kidnapping, extortion and obtaining under false pretence.

The suspects include Obierika Samuel Tochukwu, aged 40 years, of Ezi Agulu village Aguleri; Godstime Okhae, aged 26, of Magazine Avenue GRA Onitsha; Chinedu Joseph Madufor, aged 20, of No. 2 New Nkisi Magazine Junction GRA Onitsha and Celestine Chukwuemeka, aged 35, of No. 27 Idigo Road Aguleri.

The suspects were said to have extorted the sum of N1.4m from one Rita Madubuonu under the guise of helping her secure the release of her brother from detention.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, reads in part: “On 6/5/2019, one Rita Madubuonu, aged 30 years of Okosi road Inland town Onitsha, reported at Inland town Division Onitsha that sometimes in 2012 her brother one Master Chinedu Anthony Madubuonu aged 21-year-old of same address got missing and all efforts made to locate him proved abortive.

“However, She was later contacted via phone call in 2013 by one Caroline surname unknown that her brother was imprisoned at Owerri Prison and that his release will be secured only if she makes payment into 2 Bank Accounts given to her.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that Complainant was deceived by the syndicate and used as a conduit pipe to extort money from her under false pretense of securing the release of her missing brother whose whereabout is still unknown.

“Following the report, Police detectives attached to the Command traced and arrested four suspects.

“Suspects have defrauded her of the sum of One million and four hundred thousand naira (N1.400,000) between 2013 and 2016 which she allegedly deposited into their Bank account in various instalments.”

The PPRO said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet investigation.

Also nabbed by the Command is a three-man robbery syndicate which specialises in one-chance robbery.

The suspects – 24 years old Friday Pops of Ijubam, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, resident at No. 3 Obi Christian Street Nkpor; 21 years old Peter Ochai of Imgeala in Okpoku LGA, Benue State residing at Afor Ogidi; and Chukwuebuka Okafor, aged 23 years of Uzoegbu Street, Nkpor – were nabbed police detectives attached to Isiuwulu Division on May 10, 2019.

According to a statement by the state police spokesman, the suspects had on April 19, 2019 conspired and snatched a bag belonging to one Mercy Anekwe inside a Keke Napep along Limca Road Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.

The PPRO said the case is under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

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