15-year-old organizes own kidnap, demands N.5m ransom from father

A 15-year-old boy has allegedly staged his own kidnap and demanded for N500,000 as ransom.

The minor, who was paraded in Jos, Plateau State on Thursday, told newsmen that he initiated the plan with his friends in order to enable him buy clothes and celebrate his graduation.

“I was the one who initiated the plan and not my friends. I wanted my father to give me money for clothes and to also celebrate my graduation,” he said.

Briefing newsmen on the arrest of the minor, the Commissioner, Plateau State Police Command, Isaac Akinmoyede, said five persons were arrested in a case of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping, including the victim, who stage-managed his own kidnap.

Akinmoyede said the father of the victim, Jerry Vichi, had on July 19 reported at ‘A’ Division, Jos that his son, working as an apprentice at a motor vehicle electrical wiring shop, did not return after the day’s job.

The police commissioner said the suspect’s father reported that he received a phone call from a hidden number informing him that his son had been kidnapped and taken away from Jos.

“The father said that the caller demanded for a N500,000 ransom and threatened the boy’s life,” he said.

Akinmoyede said the command had arrested 44 suspects in connection with alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide and other cult-related activities as part of its efforts to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

He said: “We have arrested 11 notorious kidnap suspects and a syndicate responsible for the recent kidnap at Plateau State Polytechnic Staff quarters, Haipang, Zawan and other places in Jos South Local Government Area.

“We have also arrested two suspects in a case of threat to life and kidnapping at Bokkos Local Government Area and another for criminal activities, armed robbery and allegedly belonging to an unlawful society, with locally-made pistol and two live ammunitions recovered.

“Three suspects for culpable homicide and cult-related offences were also arrested for shooting one Chinedu Okoye dead at Chorbe junction in Jos North Local Government Area, while other armed robbery suspects were also apprehended.”

The suspects were paraded along with three AK 47 rifles, three magazines, 30 rounds of live ammunitions and two unregistered motorcycles, amongst others.