By Milcah Tanimu
Four individuals suspected of impersonating officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been arrested in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. The suspects were allegedly plotting to kidnap a person to demand a ransom of ₦150 million.
The suspects were publicly paraded on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. During a press briefing, the Commissioner of Police for the state, CP Waheed Ayilara, identified Emmanuel Akpayak as the main suspect.
CP Ayilara revealed that Akpayak orchestrated the abduction of the intended victim, to whom he owed more than ₦12 million. The plan was to extort money from the victim and ultimately eliminate him to avoid repaying his debt. The other three suspects were identified as Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, Promise Udofia, and Jeremiah Johnson Okon.
The investigation showed that Akpayak had enlisted armed individuals and provided them with EFCC vests for the operation. The suspects lured the victim to a location, and a search of Akpayak’s residence led to the discovery of four sets of EFCC vests.
“Information at hand indicates that the suspect transacted the business of selling cars with the would-be victim and owed the victim about Twelve Million Naira (₦12,000,000.00). To evade the repayment of debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap, extort the sum of ₦150 million, and also kill the victim thereafter, but the operation was foiled. Suspects will have their day in court,” said the Police Commissioner.
Akpayak, while speaking to reporters, claimed that the intended victim was his business partner. He admitted hiring individuals to intimidate the victim after his attempts to resolve the issue through peaceful means failed. He confessed to purchasing an EFCC vest online and giving it to his accomplices to impersonate officials and coerce the victim into paying ₦150 million. Akpayak also alleged that the victim was wealthy and involved in internet fraud.
