15-Years Old Boy Kidnaps Self, Demands Ransom

Operatives of the Plateau State Police Command have apprehended a 15-year-old boy for allegedly staging his own kidnap and with the aim of extorting money from his parents.

Naija News understands that the 15-year old suspect who was paraded at the state Police Command in Jos, the Plateau state capital demanded a ransom of N500,000 from his parents to secure his release.

While confessing to having committed the crime against himself, the minor said he initiated the plan with some of his friends in a deliberate attempt to enable him to celebrate his graduation.

He said he needed some money to acquire clothes and celebrate his graduation in grand style.

“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.

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

He said that the father of the victim, Jerry Vichi, had on July 19 reported at ‘A’ Division, Jos that his son was missing and that a caller suspected to be the abductors of his son demanded a ransom of N500,000; a statement that made the Police in swung into action that led to the arrests.

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

While speaking further, Akinmoyede 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 ammunition 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,” he said.