The Delta State Police Command has apprehended Nelson Eserada and Jerry Lawrence on suspicion of orchestrating a fake kidnapping.

Delta man fakes kidnap, demands N50m ransom from parent

According to SP Bright Edafe, the Command’s spokesperson, the incident came to light when Nelson Eserada’s father reported to the Abraka Division that his son had been kidnapped. The alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom of N50 million in bitcoin and even sent a video showing Nelson tied up and being mistreated.

Swiftly responding to the complaint, DPO SP Fabian Ayameh initiated a thorough investigation. On June 10, 2024, Jerry Lawrence from Jeddo Community, Warri, was arrested in connection with the crime. Initial findings revealed that Nelson Eserada, a 400 Level student at Delta State University Abraka, conspired with Jerry Lawrence. Shockingly, Eserada’s father had already paid N5.2 million in ransom through a Bitcoin account owned by Jerry Lawrence.

Both suspects are now in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate operation, the Delta State Police Command has also apprehended eight suspected armed robbers who were terrorizing residents in Asaba.

According to Edafe, the arrests followed numerous reports of armed robbery in neighborhoods like Bonsaac, Okwe, and others in Asaba. In response, Commissioner of Police CP Abaniwonda Olufemi deployed a new DPO to ‘B’ Division, Asaba, with a mandate to apprehend the perpetrators.

On May 8, 2024, DPO CSP Edewor Akponegware acted on credible information from a concerned resident who spotted suspicious individuals armed near Mango Tree Market. The DPO promptly led a patrol team to the scene, resulting in the arrest of John Dalami (25), Musa Suleiman (25), Abdullahi Jibril (20), Solomon Uchechukwu (24), Yusuf Joda (21), Egboka Chukwu Charles (21), and Wisdom Sylvester (21).

During the operation, a locally made gun and one live cartridge were seized from a Bagco bag found at the scene. The suspects confessed to carrying out a series of house-to-house armed robberies in Issele-Asagba, Coka, and Ibusa areas.

Based on their statements, the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad conducted further operations leading to the arrest of six additional suspects and recovery of three more locally made guns hidden behind DDPA estate, Asaba.

The investigation into both cases is ongoing, with the Delta State Police Command committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents in the state.

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