The Delta State Police Command has apprehended Nelson Eserada, who is suspected of staging his own kidnapping, along with his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.
The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, shared this information with Thepaan News in Asaba on Thursday. According to Edafe, Eserada and Lawrence devised a scheme to extort N50 million in ransom from Eserada’s parents.
Eserada’s father reported to the Abraka Division that his son had been “kidnapped” and that the kidnappers were demanding the ransom in bitcoin. To make the scam convincing, they even sent a video showing Eserada tied up and being tortured.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abraka, SP Fabian Ayameh, immediately initiated a technical and intelligence-led investigation. On June 10, 2024, Jerry Lawrence, from Jeddo Community in Warri, was arrested. The investigation uncovered that Eserada, a 400-level Banking & Finance student at Delta State University Abraka, had conspired with Lawrence. Eserada’s father had already paid N5.2 million in bitcoin to Lawrence’s account.
Both suspects are now in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. This case highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to extort money, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling such sophisticated schemes.
In another significant operation, the Delta State Police arrested eight suspected armed robbers in Asaba, following numerous complaints from residents about house-to-house robberies in Bonsaac, Okwe, and other areas of the city. This operation demonstrates the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the residents.
Commissioner of Police CP Abaniwonda Olufemi assigned a new DPO, CSP Edewor Akponegware, to the ‘B’ Division in Asaba with clear instructions to apprehend the culprits. Acting on a tip-off about suspicious armed individuals near the Mango Tree Market, the DPO led a patrol team to the location and arrested seven
Suspects: John Dalami (25), Musa Suleiman (25), Abdullahi Jibril (20), Solomon Uchechukwu (24), Yusuf Joda (21), Egboka Chukwu Charles (21), and Wisdom Sylvester (21). A search of the scene uncovered a Bagco bag containing a locally made cut-to-size gun and a live cartridge.
The suspects confessed to a series of house-to-house armed robberies in the Issele-Asagba, Coka, and Ibusa areas. Acting on these confessions, the special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime squad led operatives to their hideout at the back of the DDPA estate in Asaba. This raid resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects and the recovery of three more locally made cut-to-size guns.
These operations underscore the ongoing efforts by the Delta State Police Command to combat crime and bring perpetrators to justice. The apprehension of the self-kidnapper and his accomplice, as well as the armed robbery suspects, reflects the dedication of the police force to maintaining law and order in the state.
SP Bright Edafe emphasized the importance of public cooperation in fighting crime. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police. “Community engagement is crucial in our fight against crime. We rely on the public to provide us with timely information that can lead to the apprehension of criminals,” Edafe stated.
The case of Nelson Eserada and Jerry Lawrence is particularly concerning as it highlights a growing trend of individuals resorting to extreme measures for financial gain. The use of digital currency like bitcoin in ransom demands adds a layer of complexity to such cases, making it more challenging for law enforcement to trace and recover the funds. This incident serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of crime in the digital age and the need for law enforcement agencies to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Meanwhile, the successful arrest of the armed robbery suspects brings a sense of relief to the residents of Asaba. The community had been living in fear due to the spate of robberies, but the swift action by the police has restored a sense of security. Residents are hopeful that with continued police vigilance, such criminal activities will be significantly reduced.
The Delta State Police Command continues to urge the public to support their efforts by providing information that can help in the fight against crime.
Victoria Ibiama
