The Enugu State Command has dismissed a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that police officers kidnapped a businessman in Enugu, threatened to label him an IPOB/ESN member, and extorted N62 million from him.
According to a press release on Friday, 14th February 2025, signed by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, these allegations are unfounded and a product of junk journalism, malice, and mischief aimed at misleading the public. While the Command would have ordinarily ignored such misinformation, it has chosen to set the record straight to prevent further public deception.
On December 23, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, received a directive from the Force Headquarters Abuja to investigate a petition against Mr. Olu Agwu Mang, submitted by the complainant’s lawyer. The petition alleged conspiracy, advance fee fraud, fraud, threat to life, and threat to kidnap one Mr. Michael Umeh. It was referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad for investigation.
Contrary to the Sahara Reporters’ claim that police officers threatened to label the suspect an IPOB/ESN member, the petitioner alleged that in 2022, the suspect contacted the complainant and his friends abroad, offering them protection against terrorism in the East. He further claimed that the suspect, allegedly an IPOB/ESN member, had defrauded them of N400 million and used the funds for a lavish lifestyle. The suspect later demanded N300 million to ensure the complainant’s safety upon his return home from the yuletide.
The suspect allegedly received the defrauded funds through various bank accounts, including a First Bank account bearing “Able Man Entertainment” and additional First and Zenith Banks’ accounts bearing “Uche Aka Okechukwu.”
Contrary to Sahara Reporters’ claims, the investigation team properly arrested the suspect on December 26, 2024, in Abiriba, Abia State. He admitted to the financial allegations and agreed to refund N100 million of the alleged defrauded money. It was further discovered that he paid the sum of N40 million to the complainant.
There is no evidence that the suspect paid N2 million to any Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the Anti-Kidnapping office, as the alleged IPO with the name Emmanuel Ahamefuna, does not exist in the office. Furthermore, receipts attached to the Sahara Reporters’ misleading report did not bear the name of any police personnel but were discovered to be the names of the suspect’s legal team.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered the expeditious conclusion of the investigation and prosecution of the suspect and any other individuals found culpable. He has also demanded that Sahara Reporters retract its false report and issue an unreserved apology for defaming the office of the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, and others mentioned in the report.
