Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a man named Biobarakumo Gamade for allegedly staging his own kidnapping and demanding a N10 million ransom from his brother.
The suspect was apprehended alongside his accomplice, Frank Thompson, on Tuesday, November 5th, after receiving a N2 million ransom payment.
Parading the suspects at the state police command headquarters on Wednesday, November 6th, State Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Francis Idu, revealed that a kidnapping case was reported by Mr. Gemade Esua Igoniamine in October, prompting a thorough investigation.
The police conducted a search, including reviewing security camera footage, but found no evidence to support the claims of a kidnapping incident.
“We got a distress call that a black jeep with military personnel kidnapped a man; we searched all our cameras, and no car of such identity was seen. Later, we got a call from someone who claimed to have kidnapped a victim, demanding a N10 million ransom,” the Commissioner stated.
The operatives of the anti-kidnapping swung into action, leading to the arrest of Frank Thompson, who hails from Nembe Local Government Area, through the ransom that was paid.
Upon interrogation, the suspects revealed that they staged the kidnapping to enable them to collect ransom. They had earlier demanded for N10 m random, but two million naira was paid, which was used to trace them to the hotel where they had lodged outside the state.”
The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the people of Bayelsa, youth groups, and other partners for their support in combating crime. He reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the state’s residents.
