A 400-level student from Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, identified as Nelson Eserada, has been arrested for faking his own kidnapping to extort Bitcoin worth N50 million from his father.
Nelson, who is in the Department of Banking & Finance, was arrested along with his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.
The Delta State Police Command, Abraka Division, made the arrests on June 10, 2024, following a complaint from Nelson’s father.
He reported that his son had been kidnapped and that the abductors were demanding N50 million worth of Bitcoin.
Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, spokesperson for the state Command, revealed that before the arrest, Jerry Lawrence had already extorted N5.2 million from Nelson’s father through his Bitcoin account.
“Following complaints received from the father of one Nelson Eserada ‘M’ at Abraka Division that his son Nelson Eserada was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of Fifty million naira (#50,000,000) in bitcoin. The suspect also sent a video of the supposed victim tied and being tortured.
“The DPO Abraka SP Fabian Ayameh swiftly moved into action, embarked on a technical intelligence-led investigation and on 10/06/2024 at about 2000hrs, one Jerry Lawrence ‘M’ of Jeddo Community Warri was arrested in connection with the crime.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with the said Nelson Eserada a 400 Level Student of Banking & Finance Department of the Delta State University Abraka and that the father had already paid the sum of Five Million and Two Hundred Thousand Naira ransom through a Bitcoin account belonging to the principal suspect Jerry Lawrence. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing,” Edafe stated.
CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, Commissioner of Police, Delta State, urged parents to properly train and care for their children, warning that neglect could lead to them becoming problems for their families.
He also advised youths to avoid the get-rich-quick mentality, adding that crime does not pay.
