Nigerian POS Agent Released After Spending Two Years in Prison Over Ransom Withdrawals by Kidnappers
A Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in Nigeria has finally regained her freedom after spending two harrowing years in prison for unknowingly assisting kidnappers, who used her terminal to withdraw ransom money.
The story, which has since gone viral on TikTok, was shared by user @liousvee_ml and sheds light on the tragic ordeal of a woman who, by mere chance, was implicated in a criminal act she knew nothing about.
According to the report, the unnamed woman, who also serves as an officer in the Boys Brigade, was approached by unknown individuals who used her POS terminal to withdraw large sums between ₦500,000 and ₦600,000. It was later revealed that these funds were part of ransom payments made by families of kidnap victims.
Despite having no affiliation with the criminals, the woman was arrested, detained, and subsequently imprisoned for two years. Shockingly, even after the actual kidnappers were tracked down, arrested, and sentenced, the woman remained behind bars.
A video accompanying the story shows the woman walking out of the correctional facility, visibly shaken and emotional. She can be heard muttering, “I suffer o,” as she exits the prison gate an expression of relief after enduring what many now describe as a gross miscarriage of justice.
The video’s caption read:
“This lady is an officer of the Boys Brigade and a POS operator who got implicated by a kidnapper for what she knows nothing about. Her machine was used to withdraw random ₦500k to ₦600k, and she has been in prison for 2 years now.”
It continued:
“The funniest part is, the kidnapper was caught and put in prison as well, yet they refused to release her until now. GOD DID. What am I saying please, government, let’s help the masses. Just because most people are not financially stable doesn’t mean they should suffer unjustly. If she were someone with influence, she wouldn’t have spent more than a week in custody.”
The case has triggered outrage on social media, with Nigerians calling for urgent reforms in the justice system to prevent similar injustices. Many users questioned how an innocent civilian could be imprisoned for two years without a conviction or proper legal defense, especially after the true perpetrators were apprehended.
- @Prince 🤴Oki: “Congratulations Esther, may your freedom remain permanent 💯.”
- @Aishaliyu405: “And the real criminals are out there… God, where are you 😭😭.”
- @favoritemarket_woman: “Congratulations! May Nigeria not happen to us o. We no go see court case wey go take us go prison o in Jesus name, AMEN 🙏.”
- @💔Famous LONER 😓: “This can only happen if your business isn’t registered. If the money was paid into a business account, this wouldn’t have happened.”
- @HabibatIdris381: “Omo, things dey happen… May we never fall victim of what we no know.”
- @Mama K: “It is well with you! May the God of restoration return all you’ve lost these two years in double.”
