The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued two female kidnapping victims and arrested four suspects in connection with the crime in Idemili South Local Government Area.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, confirmed the operation in a statement issued in Awka on Wednesday.
The rescue and arrests were made by police operatives attached to the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Idemili, at approximately 11:54 AM.
The operation followed the payment of a N200,000 ransom for the release of the victims.
Ikenga stated that the police arrested one primary suspect, Ifechukwu Ibesimako, 19, from Aboji village in Oba, along with three accomplices.
The suspects lured their victims, both females aged 15 to 19, through social media chats.
They proposed a friendship, then held the victims hostage until their families paid a ransom for their release.
Further investigation revealed the suspects’ involvement in previous crimes, including the case of another female victim who had paid a ransom for her release months ago.
Ikenga added that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nnaghe Itam, urged young people to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online.
The Commissioner has ordered the suspects’ transfer to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad for further investigation.