Daily Post reports that two suspects who are alleged to have attempted the kidnap of a Manager of Zenith Bank, Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Ralphael Ibodeme, have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command.

The suspects were arrested in Ekpoma following a tip-off on one of the suspects, Felix Alika, who is a security staff at the bank

He was reportedly caught by the operatives in a web of lies as he raised unfounded allegations against the victim, according to the Police.

They said the allegation was to create an escape route for the suspects against prosecution.

It was gathered that the Bank Manager, Ralphael lbodeme and the security staff of the Bank, Felix Alika, have been having a running battle over promotion.

There has been a high level of insubordination which made the said Mr lbodeme take some administrative decisions. The quarrel was said to have allegedly prompted the said Alika to connect one Akhere who was to hire other heinous gang members to kidnap the victim.

“Few days to the planned day of the kidnap operation, the said Akhere changed his mind and reported the matter to the police in Ekpoma. This report prompted the police to arrest the security staff, Felix Alika.

“Instead of the said suspect Felix Alika who is the security guard to explain his role in the incident, he chose to embark on blackmail. He allegedly raised false allegations, claiming the said Bank manager is an armed robber, accusing him of being behind the attacks in some banks in Edo State, a Police statement said.

But the police viewed his allegation as a move to divert investigation as the police wondered why he did not raise the allegation before now.

According to the security staff “Yes, l can confirm that Mr Ibodeme, the Bank Manager, and myself have been having quarrel for some time now.”

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bello Kontongs said the report from the anti-kidnapping squad of the command revealed that the security guard, Felix Alika, lied against Mr Ralphael Ibodeme.

“The two suspects will be charged to court for attempted Kidnap, we have ordered a thorough investigation into the viral video of the fake alarm raised by the said security man.

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