By Ishaya Ibrahim
An Imo man, Obinna Anusiem, shows up at a police station to say that his wife has been abducted. When asked if he suspected anyone of committing the crime, he named his cousin, Okechukwu Anusiem.
After discreet investigation, the Imo State police command arrested Obinna who is from Umuima Atta in Njaba Local Government Area of the state for faking the kidnap of his wife, Chinyere and their two children.
On Friday, May 22, the Imo Police command paraded Obinna, a 34 year old man in Owerri, along with 28 other suspected criminals.
The new Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Isaac Akinmoyede, told journalists that the suspect reported at Njaba Police Station that his wife and two children were kidnapped on April 12 by his cousin, Okechukwu.
Akinmoyede, however, said that upon “discreet investigation” by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, it was discovered that the suspect, who also was the complainant, was actually behind the purported abduction.
He said the suspect hid his wife and children in his in-law’s house in Okwudor community in the area and maliciously accused Okechukwu of kidnapping them because of land dispute and other family misunderstanding.
“He has confessed committing the crime. The suspect will soon appear in court.”
When journalists interviewed the suspect, he confessed that he faked the kidnap to punish his cousin who he accused of selling their family land and diverting the proceeds to his personal account without giving him a dime.
“I did not kidnap my wife and children. I only took them to my wife’s place because I want the police to arrest him for selling our land. Please forgive me,” the suspect said.
The new CP said he would adopt the community policing strategy in fighting crime in the state.
He said, “Imo is peaceful. I met a peaceful atmosphere when I came but I will not allow any criminal to operate freely in the state.”
He also warned officers and men of the command against human rights abuse and receiving bribe.
According to him, any operative caught indulging in sharp practices will face severe sanctions.
