Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an elaborate, stage-managed kidnapping scheme after arresting five suspects linked to a viral video that showed a schoolboy tearfully pleading for mercy in what appeared to be a kidnappers’ den. The incident, which sparked widespread fear and outrage across social media platforms in late November, has now been confirmed by police authorities as a carefully orchestrated hoax designed to extort money from the victim’s family.
According to the police, the breakthrough followed the work of detectives and operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, who acted on intelligence and financial trails to unravel the truth behind the disturbing footage. The suspects were arrested during coordinated operations carried out on 17 and 18 December 2025 at strategic locations including the Volkswagen Roundabout axis and the Ago Palace area of Lagos.
The case was initially reported to the Ago Palace Police Division on 26 November 2025 as a missing person incident, triggering concern within the community and beyond. At the time, family members believed the teenage boy, later identified as Victor Aligwo, had been abducted. The situation escalated rapidly after a distress video circulated online, showing the boy in apparent captivity, begging for help and pleading that ransom be paid to secure his release.
However, as investigations progressed, police detectives uncovered inconsistencies that pointed away from a genuine kidnapping. Preliminary findings revealed that the supposed abduction was deliberately planned and executed by the victim himself in collaboration with four acquaintances. The group reportedly used the room of one of the suspects, Umeh Victor, as the setting for the fake kidnappers’ den where the viral video was recorded.
The suspects arrested in connection with the incident were identified as Kosiko Patrick, aged 17; Victor Aligwo, aged 15; David Odudu, aged 19; Anyabike Kingsley, aged 20; and Umeh Victor, aged 19. All five are male and currently in police custody as investigations continue. The police disclosed that the suspects conspired with the specific intent of extorting money from Victor Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received a sum of four million naira from a contribution.
Investigators revealed that the group believed the sudden inflow of funds presented an opportunity to demand ransom under the guise of a kidnapping. To make the plot convincing, they recorded and circulated the distress video, carefully crafting scenes intended to instil fear and panic in the victim’s family. The video, which quickly spread online, succeeded in creating the impression of an imminent threat to the boy’s life, compelling his mother to comply with the ransom demands.
Police confirmed that a ransom of one million, seven hundred thousand naira was eventually paid by the distraught mother in an effort to secure her son’s freedom. The money was transferred electronically to an account linked to one of the suspects. After the transaction, the funds were allegedly shared among the conspirators, who believed they had successfully executed the scheme without detection.
The unraveling of the plot came after police operatives traced the Point-of-Sale terminal used in processing the ransom payment. Financial intelligence and transaction analysis led investigators directly to the suspects, resulting in their arrest and the recovery of evidence linking them to the staged crime. Authorities said the use of digital financial tools, which the suspects assumed would shield them from scrutiny, ultimately became the key to exposing the hoax.
The Lagos State Police Command stressed that the case highlights the increasing sophistication of staged crimes aimed at exploiting public fear and the genuine concern surrounding kidnapping incidents in the country. Officials noted that such fake incidents not only traumatise families but also divert critical law enforcement resources away from real emergencies and contribute to unnecessary panic among the public.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued a stern warning to individuals contemplating similar schemes, declaring that the command would not tolerate any form of criminal deception. He assured residents that the police remain fully committed to protecting lives and property across the state and will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to detect and dismantle criminal activities, regardless of how carefully they are disguised.
The police further emphasised that the incident was not a genuine case of kidnapping and urged residents not to panic. They reassured the public that Lagos remains under constant surveillance by security agencies working to ensure safety and order. Members of the public were encouraged to go about their lawful activities without fear while remaining vigilant and proactive in reporting suspicious movements or activities to the authorities.
Legal experts observing the case say it underscores the serious consequences of staging crimes for personal gain, particularly when minors are involved. The suspects are expected to be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations, where the full weight of the law will determine their culpability and punishment.
Beyond the legal implications, the incident has reignited conversations about the influence of social media and the speed at which unverified content can spread, amplifying fear and misinformation. Analysts note that the viral nature of the video intensified public anxiety at a time when concerns about insecurity remain high, demonstrating how fabricated content can exploit existing societal tensions.
The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its call for responsible use of digital platforms and urged the public to verify information before sharing sensitive content. Officials stressed that cooperation between citizens and law enforcement remains essential in combating both real and fabricated crimes.
As investigations continue, the command has assured the public that transparency will be maintained and that justice will be pursued diligently. The case, police say, serves as a reminder that criminal acts, whether real or staged, leave trails that modern policing techniques are increasingly capable of uncovering.
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