George Nnamdi, a 200 level Political Science student of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has been arrested for faking his abduction after pranking his girlfriend, Faith Godson, that he has been kidnapped.

WUZUPNIGERIA reports that last week three students of the university were abducted by armed men on their way to Okigwe in Imo State. Two of the students later escaped as they were being marched into the bush by their abductors while one just regained freedom after spending three days in the kidnappers’ den.

Using the same scenario, Nnamdi, while returning to his lodge around 10:00 pm on Wednesday after visiting his Godson, decided to play a joke on her. He sent a WhatsApp message to his girlfriend informing her that he along with three other students had been abducted by a gang of six men armed with AK-47.

On receiving the message around 3a.m on Thursday, Godson, a 300 level student of Mass Communication, alerted the university security for a search and rescue operation.

In the morning, a worried Godson decided to visit his lodge only to meet George sleeping in his room.

“When I got to his lodge I saw George and I tapped him on the back and asked him what nonsense joke he was playing. It was at that point that he told me that he was playing a prank. Then I told him that he had to go and see the security people because I had already raised an alarm,” she told newsmen.

George, on his part, said he had wanted to play a joke on his friend and never meant it for financial reward; he added that he was sorry for playing such a costly joke and never thought of the implications.

He said, “I’m from a poor background and who will I be expecting to pay the ransom. I just wanted to play a prank on her but I’m sorry for what happened.”

He apologized to the university management for any embarrassment his action had caused the institution.

Earlier, the Chief Security Officer of the university, Navy Commander ThankGod Evulobi (rtd.), according to Vanguard Newspaper, said the development was a big embarrassment to the university particularly in view of the recent kidnap incident involving one of their students.

He said that as soon as he got the information that one of their students sent a distress message that he was abducted he quickly mobilized his men to the scene. The CSO said that when the supposed victim was found to be in his room, he was invited to the university security for questioning.

He said that the university joint security team including the police had obtained a statement from the boy and his girlfriend.

The CSO said that the university Senate Security committee would examine the report and take necessary action. Meanwhile, both the boy and his friend are still in the custody of the university security.