Police bust online job scam syndicate, rescue kidnap victim in Enugu
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested a suspected member of a criminal syndicate that lures unsuspecting individuals with fake online job offers.
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested a suspected member of a criminal syndicate that lures unsuspecting individuals with fake online job offers.
The police, in a statement issued by the command's spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed that the operation, carried out on April 11, 2026, by officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), led to the rescue of a male victim who had been abducted after being deceived online and forced to pay a ransom of ₦500,000.
During the operation, a 27-year-old suspect, Aniagboso Ugochukwu, was arrested and identified as a member of the gang.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had earlier, on April 1, 2026, abducted another victim using the same method and extorted ₦100,000 before releasing him.
According to the police, the suspects operate by advertising fake job vacancies on social media platforms. Interested applicants are directed to a meeting point at Eke Obinagu in Emene, Enugu, from where they are transported to a secluded location in Akpuoga Nike.
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There, victims are held captive and threatened with crude weapons, including iron objects and wooden planks, while ransom is demanded from their families.
The arrested suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crimes and is currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending other members of the gang, recovering the ransom collected, and dismantling the network.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with online job offers, advising them to verify the authenticity of such opportunities before taking further steps.
He also encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents while intensifying efforts to clamp down on criminal elements in the state.
