Police arrest teenagers over fake kidnap, N1.7m extortion in Lagos

Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with a staged kidnapping incident that went viral last month, involving a schoolboy pleading for mercy in a purported kidnappers’ den.

Smart detectives and operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad apprehended the suspects on Thursday, 18th December 2025, at about 1300 hours, following an intelligence-led and discreet investigation.

The Lagos State Police Command, through SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests and provided the details to the public on 19th December 2025 in a statement.

The incident, initially reported as a missing person case at Ago Palace Division on 26th November 2025, was later revealed to be orchestrated by the victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four friends, using the room of Umeh Victor to stage the kidnapping.

The suspects—Kosiko Patrick, 17; Victor Aligwo, 15; David Odudu, 19; Anyabike Kingsley, 20; and Umeh Victor, 19—were apprehended on 17th and 18th December at Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area.

Investigation revealed that the fake kidnapping was allegedly intended to extort money from Victor Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received a contribution of Four Million Naira (₦4,000,000). The suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor pleading for help, creating fear and panic to coerce the family into paying a ransom.

A ransom of One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1.7 million) was paid and later transferred to one of the suspects’ accounts. The money was shared among them. Police traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the transaction, which led to the arrest of all suspects.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned against criminal activity in the state, stating: “The Command will not relent in ensuring the safety of lives and property. All criminal elements are hereby warned to desist from any form of crime and curtailed any form of criminal activities within the state.”

He also reassured residents: “This incident was not a case of kidnapping, and there is no cause for panic. Members of the public are encouraged to continue their lawful activities and promptly report any suspicious acts or movements to the Police through the Command’s emergency numbers: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870.”

Investigation into the matter is ongoing, and all suspects are expected to be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution, the release concluded.