Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in Igarra, with one of the suspects falsely claiming he had been abducted while his accomplice demanded a ₦4 million ransom from his relatives. The arrest, announced in a press release on Sunday, June 28, 2026, follows what police described as a criminal deception aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting family members.
The suspects, identified as 48-year-old Lucky Alabi and 37-year-old Taiye Enahoro, both residents of Uneme Akpama Community, were arrested on June 26, 2026, at about 10:30 a.m. by operatives of the Igarra Division. According to the police, the criminal plan was executed on June 23, 2026, when Enahoro allegedly placed several telephone calls to relatives of Alabi, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of ₦4 million for his release.
Acting on credible intelligence and through diligent investigative efforts, police operatives uncovered the deception and successfully arrested both suspects. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo had conspired to stage the fake kidnapping to defraud Alabi's family members. Both suspects have confessed to their respective roles in the staged kidnapping and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, has warned members of the public against engaging in any form of criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives. The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice. Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities.
This is not an isolated incident. In December 2025, the Nigeria Police Force arrested a 20-year-old man, Anthony Udeh, in Ogun State for allegedly staging his own kidnapping to extort ₦4 million from his family. In June 2025, four students of the Federal College of Education in Okene, Kogi State, were arrested for staging their own kidnapping. In October 2025, the Edo State Police Command arrested a couple who conspired to stage their own kidnapping and demanded ransom from their children. These incidents underscore the growing trend of self-kidnap scams, where individuals attempt to exploit the fears of their loved ones for financial gain, diverting police resources away from genuine cases of abduction.
The Edo State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to investigating and prosecuting those involved in such criminal acts, assuring the public that the suspects will face the full weight of the law.
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