Four people suspected of impersonating officials of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been apprehended in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The Interviews Nigeria learnt that the suspects were plotting to kidnap a person in order to demand a ransom of ₦150 million when they were apprehended.
The suspects were publicly paraded on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
According to reports, during a press briefing in Uyo, the Commissioner of Police for the state, CP Waheed Ayilara, singled out Emmanuel Akpayak as the main suspect.
CP Ayilara stated that Akpayak masterminded the abduction of the targeted victim, who he owed more than ₦12 million, with the intention of extorting money from him and ultimately eliminating him to avoid repaying his debt.
The other three accomplices were identified as Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, Promise Udofia, and Jeremiah Johnson Okon.
The investigation conducted by the Commissioner of Police revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak spearheaded the kidnapping and murder of the intended victim by contracting armed individuals and provided them with EFCC vests/uniforms for the operation.
He further mentioned that the victim was lured to a location. But a search of the main suspect’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).
In order to evade the repayment of debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap and extort the sum of ₦150 million and also kill the victim, thereafter, but the Operation was foiled. Suspects will be charged in court soonest,” the Police Commissioner asserted.
The main suspect, while speaking to reporters, affirmed that the person he intended to harm was actually his business partner to whom he owed money.
He explained that his attempts to resolve the issue through peaceful means had failed, so he decided to purchase an EFCC vest online and give it to his accomplices, who pretended to be officials, in order to apprehend the man and coerce him into paying ₦150 million.
He alleged that the victim was wealthy and involved in internet fraud.