The Akwa Ibom Police Command has apprehended a suspect, Imaobong Sampson, and her accomplice, Beltus Ebong, in connection with a staged kidnapping incident in Mbierebe Obio village, Ibesikpo Asutan Area of the state.
According to Odiko Macdon, the spokesperson for the state police command, the arrest was made following a report of kidnapping filed by an individual claiming to be a relative of the supposed victim last week Monday. The report indicated that Imaobong Sampson had been abducted, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of four million naira for her release.
In response, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad launched a thorough investigation to locate the perpetrators and rescue the victim. Their efforts paid off when, on March 12, 2024, Imaobong Sampson and her boyfriend, Beltus Ebong, were apprehended at their hideout in Mbierebe Obio Village.
During interrogation, Imaobong confessed to orchestrating the kidnapping with her syndicate, including her boyfriend, Beltus Ebong, Dominic Friday Charlie, her sister Enobong Sampson, and an individual named Inyene Ime Akpan, who is currently at large. Their motive was to extort money from her aunt, who resides abroad.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Ogun State Police Command arrested Olumide Openaike, a staff member of a Microfinance Bank, Kemta Oloko, who had been reported missing. It was discovered that Openaike had staged his own abduction over a debt amounting to N1.7 million. He was found in Mokwa, Niger State, following an investigation by the authorities.
