Police Nab Fake EFCC Officer

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects posing as fake Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers who were planning to kidnap a victim and demand a N150 million ransom.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the arrest was announced during a parade of suspects at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday by the Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara.

The principal suspect, Emmanuel Akpayak, allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping plot to extort money from a business associate to whom he owed over N12 million.

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak, aged 27; Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, aged 27; Promise Udofia, aged 28; and Jeremiah Johnson Okon, aged 38.

CP Ayilara stated, “Investigation revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak had arranged for the kidnap and killing of the would-be victim by engaging men on arms and procuring EFCC vests/uniform for the operation.”

He explained that the victim was invited to the principal suspect’s house, where four pairs of EFCC vests were recovered. Akpayak had planned to kidnap the victim to evade repaying his debt by demanding a ransom and ultimately killing him, but the operation was foiled.

In an interview, Akpayak admitted that the intended victim was his business associate, and he had hired individuals to threaten him after unsuccessful attempts to resolve their financial dispute.

Akpayak procured EFCC vests online for his syndicate to pose as officials and arrest the victim, aiming to extort N150 million from him.

CP Ayilara also paraded suspected advance fee fraudsters who had been targeting POS operators in Uyo.

EDITOR’S PICK

• Minimum Wage: Labour Warns Governors Against Harmful Advice, Await President’s Decision
• ₦14.77 Billion Spent On Presidential Air Fleet Maintenance In 11 Months
• Lagos: Police Inspector Killed In Confrontation With Suspected Naval Officers

He narrated an incident involving a POS operator who was tricked into allowing the suspects access to her machine, resulting in the unauthorized withdrawal of N320,000.

Additionally, the police commissioner presented a child trafficking syndicate arrested for stealing a 12-year-old boy hawking groundnuts and selling him for N400,000.

The suspects, Michael Emmanuel Edet, Ability Henry Tom, and Uwem Udoh Moses, were apprehended, and the boy was rescued.

Ayilara emphasized that all suspects would face court charges following the conclusion of investigations.

He encouraged Akwa Ibom residents to provide the police with information to combat crime and thanked Governor Umo Eno for his support in ensuring security and peace in the state.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

https://youtu.be/X-8DWyIZG08