DELSU Student Kidnaps Self, Wants N50 Million Ransom Paid into Bitcoin Account

The command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, told journalists on Thursday in Warri that the suspects were nabbed on Monday in Abraka, Ethiope East LGA.

Mr Edafe said the duo were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abraka division, SP Fabian Ayameh.

He said the father of the suspected self-kidnapper had lodged a complaint at the Abraka division regarding the kidnap of his son.

According to him, the complainant also said that the abductors were demanding a ransom of N50 million in Bitcoin.

He said the complainant also sent to the police a video of his son tied and being tortured.

“Following complaints received from the father of one Nelson Eserada at Abraka Division, that his son was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N50 million in Bitcoin, the DPO Ayameh swiftly embarked on a technical intelligence-led investigation.

“On June 10, 2024, one Jerry Lawrence was arrested in connection with the crime,” he said.

Mr Edafe said that a preliminary investigation revealed that Mr Lawrence allegedly conspired with the suspected self-kidnapper to commit the crime.

He said the supposed kidnap victim was a 400-level student of Delta University (DELSU), Abraka.

The police spokesman said the father of the suspected self-kidnapper had already paid N5.2 million ransom through a Bitcoin account belonging to Mr Lawrence.

He said the suspects were in police custody, adding that an investigation was ongoing.

(NAN)