Sales Rep fakes own kidnapping “to see if company would write off his N900,000 debt”

A Sales Representative, Chikezie Precious, of a popular pharmaceutical company has been arrested by operatives of the Anti-kidnapping And Cybercrime Unit of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly faking his own kidnapping.

The 25-year-old, who was employed three years ago, supplies drugs to most states in Southern Nigeria.

The suspect, Chikezie owns the company over N900,000 from drugs sales. In a move to get the company to write off his debt, the suspect went into hiding and raised a false alarm that he was kidnapped on the road, Standard Gazette reports.

It was gathered that on his way back to Benin from Auchi, Chikezie dumped the company’s van along Ewohimi-Agbor road, left the key on the driver’s seat. He took public transport to Benin City, where he lodged into a hotel.

The suspect conspired wit his friend to inform the company’s management that he has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen after which he switched off his mobile phones.

It was reported that the management immediately reported the matter at Igbanke police station, the nearest station to where the company van was recovered.

The case was later transferred to the office of the Anti Kidnapping And Cybercrime Unit of the Edo state police command for further investigation after which Chikezie was traced to the hotel and arrested by operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit.

While speaking with Standard Gazette, the suspect admitted to have faked his own kidnapping so the company would write off his debt.

“I owe my company over N900,000, and they have been disturbing me to pay back. After too much stress, l decided to fake my kidnapping to see if they could write off the debt for me. I lodged in the hotel at Ikpoba Hill in Benin city and asked my friend to call my boss to announce my kidnapping.” he said.

Responding to question of the whereabouts of his friend who made the call, he said, “I really don’t know where he is right now. Maybe he has escaped.”

The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Bello Kontongs, who confirmed the arrest said “the suspect will be thoroughly investigated, profiled and charge to court.”