The Enugu State Police Command has dismantled a kidnapping group that was known for recruiting victims over Facebook.
After the gang members were taken into custody, Udenu Police Division Operatives learned the group's operating method.
The accused were taken into custody on October 6, 2022, at around 1:25 pm, according to the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Daniel Ndukwe.
Ndukwe claims that on that fatal day, officers from the Udenu Police Division swiftly responded to a distress call, apprehended six abduction suspects, and freed two of their victims in the Amalla neighbourhood of Igbokwube Village, within the Udenu Local Government Area.
The suspects include Okechi Chijioke, 29; Ugwu Christiana, 24; and Ndidi Ekwueme, 27.
Others are Chinwe Okoro, 35; Nwabueze Friday, 26; and Titus Ekeh, 70.
The police described Chijioke and Christiana as principal suspects in the crime game.
Ekwueme was said to be the juju priestess, Okoro served as ransom receiver for the gang and Ekeh, provides the accommodation used for keeping the kidnapped victims.
Ndukwe said that an ongoing investigation revealed that Chijioke lured the victims through Facebook, with the promise of selling cheap clothes and bags to them.
He added: “But instead, took them to the said location working with his cohorts, and obtained a combined ransom of about N500,000.00 without releasing them, before they were apprehended and the victims rescued.
“One Dane gun, one mock gun, one tricycle, one gas burner, one 8-inches Winco foam, four bags containing clothing materials and other incriminating items were recovered from them.
“The suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.”