Why I Staged My Own Kidnap For N.5m – 15 Year Old Boy

A 15-year-old boy, an apprentice at a motor vehicle electrical wiring shop, has given reasons why he decided to stage-manage his own kidnap.

The boy who cannot be named, was paraded in Jos on Thursday, told the police that it was not his friends that hatched the move but himself.

“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.

He allegedly staged his own kidnap and demanded for the sum of N500,000 as ransom.

The Commissioner of Police, Plateau command, Isaac Akinmoyede, said five people  were arrested in a case of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping, including the victim.

On July 19, the father of the victim, Mr Jerry Vichi, had 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 father said that the caller demanded for a N500,000 ransom and threatened the boy’s life,”.

He added that 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.

“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,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were paraded, along with three AK 47 rifles, three magazines with 30 rounds of live ammunitions and two unregistered motorcycles, amongst others.