Nigerians nabbed for kidnapping, fraud in Philippines

The Philippine authorities have arrested five Nigerians in Angeles City, Pampanga, for allegedly abducting a fellow Nigerian, Kingsley Ikeagwuna.

Local media, PhilStar, reported that the suspects, Evans Chinemerem, David Ibegbulam, Nwokeke Ihechukwu, Nwokeke Chinemerem, and Okonkwo Kosiso, were arrested last Thursday.

They would face criminal charges of kidnapping for ransom and violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The Central Luzon Police director, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, said the Nigerian nationals were nabbed when operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, and Mabalacat City and Angeles City police, raided their hideout in Barangay Malabanias.

The suspects kidnapped their compatriot, Ikeagwuna, a student residing at Urban Resort Residences in Paranaque City, and held him for ransom.

“Hopefully, this will serve as a warning to those who want to commit crimes and to thieves,” Maranan said.

He added that three firearms, two .45 caliber pistols, and a .38 caliber revolver with ammunition were retrieved from the suspects.

The suspects are under police custody, the officer added.

Meanwhile, in September, three Nigerian nationals were arrested in Las Piñas City over allegations of extortion and involvement in scams.

The country’s National Bureau of Investigation arrested the Nigerians following a complaint by a woman.

The NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the Nigerians were Ugochukwu Osuagwu, Chinonso Omeje, and Benjamin Onu.

Santiago said they were charged with extortion and violation of Republic Act 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act concerning RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The victim said she met Osuagwu on a dating site and briefly dated in August 2022.

According to local media, the complainant said the suspect borrowed her GCash account and SIM number under the guise of transferring money for university tuition.

She did not know that Osuagwu and his accomplices had used her accounts as money mules for the proceeds of their scamming activities.

The victim even ended up in jail after one of the people whom the suspects duped filed charges against her.

She asked the suspects to return her accounts, but they demanded P3,000 which was lowered to P2,500.

The suspects were arrested after they accepted the marked money. Cell phones with GCash accounts and Automated Teller Machine cards were also recovered from them. (Saturday PUNCH)

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