By Suoyo EkuboÂ
The Operatives of Hawk Tactical Team of the Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday, 9 May, while acting on reliable intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers and cyber fraudsters, raided a hideout in Cupola Estate, Umuebule 1, Etche Local Government Area.
In the process, eight suspect namely Desmond Williams, aged 19, Prince Nelson, aged 17, John Ahmed, aged 17, ThankGod Neesogho, aged 22, Christian Adewale, aged 22, Uche Alaga, aged 16, Isaac Patrick, aged 22, And Nwika Fakae, aged 22, involving in double crime of kidnapping and fraud were arrested.
While one victim (name withheld) aged 20 year was rescued.
The suspects confessioned how they defraud innocent victims online, fleecing them of their hard-earned money, and luring unsuspecting victims to their hideout and using them as bait to fleece their family members and loved ones.
The victim who was in hands of the culprits was lured by his friend, who promised to give him a job at the hotel.
When the job wasn’t forthcoming, the victim opted to go back to his home, but his captors wouldn’t let him.
At his insistence, the victim was beaten severely and inflicted with body injuries.
Suspects thereafter demanded N500,000 in ransom from the victim’s parents.
Exhibits recovered from them include seven laptops and some substances suspected to be illicit hard drugs. The investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, thebCommissioner for Police, CP Okon Effiong, has advised parents to monitor activities of their children and be weary of the friends they keep.
