The police in Anambra State have arrested two suspects for allegedly conspiring with one Obiora Okoye to stage the abduction of an 18-year-old girl, Mmesoma Ifediora, in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this on Saturday, identifying the suspects as Chinedu Nwobi and Okwudili Nweke, both aged 25. He said they were arrested on March 14, 2026.
Ikenga added that the supposed victim, Mmesoma Ifediora, was rescued from a forest popularly known as “Malaysia Forest” located at Iruayika in the area.
According to the police, Mmesoma allegedly conspired with her boyfriend, Obiora Okoye – who fled during the operation – to fake her own kidnap and demand a ransom of N3 million from her parents.
He said the parents had already transferred N240,000 through her Opay account while making efforts to raise the balance before the plot was uncovered.
“Upon interrogation, the rescued victim confessed that the kidnapping was staged in collaboration with her boyfriend, Obiora Okoye, with the intent to extort the sum of N3million from her parents.
“She further revealed that they had both taken an oath of secrecy and had been moving from one location to another over a period of about two months to sustain the deception.
“However, Obiora the boyfriend of the victim also known as “Stainless,” fled the scene upon sighting the Police and is currently at large.
“To this end, the victim admitted that her parents had already paid the sum of N240,000 into her Opay account as part of the ransom demand.
“Furthermore, Items recovered from the scene include 10 SIM cards of different networks, one MTN 4G WiFi device, two female pants, one native “juju” calabash, one Duos mobile phone, necklace, white bandage used to tie the victim’s hands and eyes and computer cables,” he added.
The PPRO further revealed that a 24-year old man, Chukwuebuka Eze was arrested by Operatives of the same Squad on March 18, 2026 with a distinctive tattoo inscription on his chest reading: “No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper”.
He said the suspect was identified as the gang leader responsible for the kidnapping incident in Obosi where ransom of N150,000 was later paid before the release of the victims, while their valuables were also forcefully taken.
“During the search, items recovered at the point of arrest include, one locally made double-barrel shotgun, five live cartridges and One Redmi mobile phone belonging to one of the victims.
“The suspect also confessed to the crime and other related criminal activities within the State.
“He mentioned other gang members who are currently at large as the Police investigative team is currently working with the information for possible arrest.
“These successes are the result of intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic deployment of personnel, and improved collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.
“All suspects shall be charged to court on conclusion of the investigation.”
