BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
THE Delta State Police Command has arrested a 400-level student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Nelson Eserada, over self-kidnapping, and his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.
Spokesman of the Command, Mr. Bright Edafe (SP), told journalists on Thursday, June 13, in Warri, that the suspects were apprehended on Monday, June 10, in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Council of the state, following an intelligence-led investigation by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abraka Division, Mr. Fabian Ayameh (SP).
Edafe explained that the father of the suspected self-kidnapper, Nelson, had lodged a complaint at the Abraka Division regarding his kidnap, saying the abductors were demanding for a ransom of N50million in Bitcoin.
The Command spokesman stated that the complainant also sent to the Police, a video of his son tied and being tortured, adding: “Following complaints received from the father of one Nelson Eserada at Abraka Division, that his son was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding for a ransom of N50million in Bitcoin, the DPO (Ayameh) swiftly embarked on a technical intelligence-led investigation.
“On 10/06/2024, about 2000hrs (8p.m.), one Jerry Lawrence, ‘M,’ of Jeddo Community, Warri, was arrested in connection with the crime.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with the said Nelson Eserada, a 400-Level student of Banking and Finance Department of the Delta State University, Abraka, and that the father had already paid the sum of N5.2million ransom through a Bitcoin account belonging to the principal suspect, Jerry.
“The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.”
