The Suspects 

Four individuals suspected of impersonating officials of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were apprehended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The principal suspect, Emmanuel Akpayak, allegedly masterminded a plot to kidnap a victim who he owed ₦12 million, with the intention of extorting ₦150 million ransom and eventually killing him to avoid repaying the debt.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command paraded the suspects on Wednesday, including Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, Promise Udofia, and Jeremiah Johnson Okon, at their headquarters.

According to Commissioner of Police Waheed Ayilara, the investigation revealed that Akpayak arranged the kidnapping and planned to use EFCC vests and armed men to carry out the operation. The vests were recovered from his residence.

Akpayak claimed that the victim was a business associate who he owed money, but his attempts to resolve the issue amicably failed, leading him to resort to hiring a syndicate to pose as EFCC officials and force the victim to pay the ransom.

However, the police commissioner stated that the suspects’ intentions were far from genuine, and their plan was to use the fake EFCC vests to deceive and exploit their victim.

The police commissioner praised his team for their swift action in foiling the kidnapping and extortion plot, and assured the public that the suspects will face the full weight of the law.

Briefing journalists in Uyo, the CP said, “Information at hand indicates that the suspect transacted the business of selling cars with the would-be victim and owed the victim about Twelve Million Naira (N12,000,000.00), in order to evade the repayment of debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap, extort the sum of N150 million and also kill the victim, thereafter, but the Operation was foiled. Suspects will have their day in court.”

He also warned individuals to be cautious and verify the authenticity of EFCC officials before cooperating with them.

The arrest of the four impostors serves as a reminder of the increasing trend of fraud and impersonation in the country, and the need for vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes.

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