Congo man held hostage by Nigerian over loan rescued

Greater Noida: A man from the Republic of Congo, living in Greater Noida’s Sector Gamma 1, was rescued by police on Tuesday after he was allegedly held hostage by a Nigerian national at the former’s house.
According to Beta 2 police, the victim — Arnold — was unable to repay Rs 15 lakh that he had borrowed from David Ahmed Lukman, a businessman from Nigeria. Over this, the latter held him hostage on Sunday and made a ransom call to his parents in Congo.
He also threatened them of dire consequences if they informed the police or other authorities.
The victim’s family, however, immediately informed the embassy in India from where the information was passed to Beta 2 police.
The cops reached the spot and broke into the flat to rescuer the victim. Later, the accused was also detained but could not be arrested because the victim refused to file an official police complaint.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, DCP (zone 3), said that the Nigerian national is also in his twenties and both of them have been living in Greater Noida from the past few months.
“During interrogation, they told us that the accused had lent the victim aound Rs 15 lakh a few years ago through a mutual friend in Congo,” he said.
“Lukman was following the victim for a few days as he received only Rs 3 lakh from the money that was owed,” the DCP added.
Lukman reached the victim’s house on Sunday afternoon, tied him to a chair and called his parents.
“He threatened Arnold’s family and told them not to inform the police. We received information through the Congo embassy, based on which a team was immediately sent to the victim’s house,” Singh said.
Police found the house locked from outside, but presumed they were inside. “The team broke in and found him sitting with his hands tied. The accused, at that time, had gone to a local market. We detained him after he returned,” said Singh.
The police officer added that no FIR was registered in the incident because the victim refused to file an official complaint.
“However, the accused is being deported back to his country according to the policy. We are making arrangements to send him back,” he added.