The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), FCT Command, has detained Pascal Akuh, 28, for masterminding his own kidnapping. On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at a press conference, FCT Police Commissioner CP Ben Igweh revealed that the suspect had admitted to fabricating the incident to test his fiancée’s love for him. The complex plot involved telling his brother about the fictitious kidnapping, setting off a fruitless search by the police and his family, and finally locating them at a hotel in Lokogoma.
The suspect’s brother, Akuh Chinemezeh, filed a report at the Apo Divisional Headquarters on March 14, 2024, stating that he was told he had been arrested by the police and was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) by his younger brother, Pascal Akuh. The police and the suspect’s family then visited the SCID, IRT, and FCID detention facilities, only to discover that Pascal was not held in any of those locations.
Using a tracker with coordinates, the police were able to trace the suspect’s vehicle to an area in Wumba, Apo. Acting on this information, the Apo Division police officers swiftly mobilized to the scene, thoroughly searched the area, and eventually located Pascal in a hotel in Lokogoma later that night. He was subsequently arrested.
During interrogation, Pascal confessed to faking his own kidnapping, revealing that his intention was to play a prank on the lady he planned to marry to test her love for him. This elaborate scheme was his way of assessing her commitment and loyalty.
The act of faking a kidnapping not only puts unnecessary strain on law enforcement resources but also causes emotional distress to the family and friends involved, who genuinely believed Pascal was in danger. Such actions undermine the seriousness of real kidnapping incidents and can lead to legal consequences for the perpetrator.
The arrest of Pascal Akuh for faking his own kidnapping highlights the lengths some individuals may go to in order to test the loyalty of their partners. However, staging such incidents is not only irresponsible but also potentially criminal.
It is crucial to recognize the serious implications of such actions, as they waste valuable law enforcement resources and cause emotional distress to those involved. The Nigerian Police Force’s swift response and apprehension of the suspect demonstrate their commitment to maintaining law and order in the country.
