Authorities in the Philippines have apprehended eight Nigerian nationals in two separate incidents involving allegations of kidnapping, fraud, and extortion.
In an operation last Thursday, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, alongside the Angeles City and Mabalacat City police, arrested five Nigerians in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The suspects—identified as Evans Chinemerem, David Ibegbulamo, Nwokeke Ihechukwu, Nwokeke Chinemmerem, and Okonkwo Kosiso—are accused of abducting a fellow Nigerian, Kingsley Ikeagwuana, a student residing in Paranaque City.
Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, Director of the Central Luzon Police, confirmed that the suspects were apprehended during a raid on their hideout in Barangay Malabanias.
According to police reports, Ikeagwuana was kidnapped and held for ransom. Authorities recovered three firearms, including two .45 caliber pistols and a .38 caliber revolver with ammunition, during the operation.
“Hopefully, this will serve as a warning to those who want to commit crimes and to thieves,” said Maranan. The suspects remain in police custody and are facing charges of kidnapping for ransom and violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Republic Act 10591).
In a separate incident in September, three other Nigerian nationals were arrested in Las Piñas City for alleged involvement in extortion and financial scams. The suspects, identified as Ugochukwu Osuagwu, Chinonso Omeje, and Benjamin Onu, were apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following a complaint by a female victim.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago revealed that the three Nigerians are facing charges of extortion and violations of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Republic Act 12010) and the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175).
The victim recounted her ordeal, stating that she met Osuagwu on a dating platform and briefly dated him in August 2022. She alleged that Osuagwu borrowed her GCash account and SIM card under the pretext of transferring funds for tuition fees. Unbeknownst to her, Osuagwu and his accomplices used her accounts as money mules to launder proceeds from their scams.
The situation took a turn for the worse when one of the scam victims filed charges against her, leading to her brief incarceration. In a desperate attempt to reclaim her accounts, she contacted the suspects, who demanded P3,000 as a condition for their return. They later reduced the demand to P2,500.
The suspects were arrested during an entrapment operation when they accepted marked money from the victim. Authorities seized cell phones with GCash accounts and ATM cards connected to the illicit activities.
