The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old driver, Henry Alwansedo, who allegedly masterminded his own kidnap to extort money from his employer.
The Public Relations Officer, of the command, Mr. Anthony Airhuoyo, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Benin.
Airhuoyo said Mr. Joshua Agbede, the driver's employer, had reported the alleged kidnap to the police on December 12 at Western Boys High School at Ikpoba Hill, Benin.
Agbede who is into bakery business, had reported that his driver, Alwansedo, was seized while returning from where he went to supply bread to customers.
“Alwansedo spoke with his wife on phone, telling her that after much negotiation, the kidnappers demanded a N150, 000 ransom, which Mr. Agbede eventually gave to the wife,” Airhuoyo said.
He noted that the police became suspicious about the whole incident, prompting the driver's arrest on January 2, 2013 by operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the command.
“During interrogation, the driver made a confessional statement that he was not actually kidnapped but rather fell into the hands of fraudsters based in Lagos,” he said.
The spokesman also alleged that the driver confessed that the fraudsters swindled him of N116,300 which he collected from customers.
Airhuoyo alleged that the driver further confessed that NI50,000 purportedly paid as ransom was given to the fraudsters.
“The police discovered that the driver stage-managed all his plans without the knowledge of his wife,” the PPRO said. He said the suspect would be prosecuted when the police complete their investigations.
