The Lagos State Police Command has successfully cracked a bizarre case of a staged kidnapping, arresting five suspects including the alleged teenage victim who masterminded the plot to defraud his own mother of N1.7 million.
From Viral Distress to Calculated Deceit
Public anxiety spiked in late November 2025 after a distressing video circulated online, showing a young boy pleading for his life in what appeared to be a kidnappers' den. The clip prompted widespread concern, but a discreet investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad soon uncovered a shocking truth.
The entire kidnapping was an elaborate hoax, meticulously planned and executed by the supposed victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, with the help of four accomplices. Their goal was simple: to exploit a mother's fear for financial gain.
The Plot Built on Family Finances
Police investigations revealed the motive behind the cruel scheme. The suspects were aware that Aligwo's mother had recently received a sum of N4 million from a local contribution (esusu or ajo). Seeing this as an opportunity, they devised a plan to pressure her for ransom money.
To make the kidnapping appear real, the group used a room belonging to one of the suspects, 19-year-old Umeh Victor, as a set for the video recording. In the staged clip, Aligwo convincingly begged for help, and the video was then circulated to trigger panic and urgency within his family.
The boy's mother, believing her son was in mortal danger, acted swiftly. In a desperate bid to secure his release, she paid a ransom of N1.7 million. The transaction was conducted via a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, after which the funds were shared among the five conspirators.
Police Crackdown and Arrests
The Lagos police, however, were already on their trail. Following the initial missing person report filed at the Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025, detectives began piecing the puzzle together. Their breakthrough came from tracing the electronic footprint of the ransom payment.
By following the money trail from the POS transaction, operatives were led directly to the suspects. In a coordinated operation on December 17 and 18, 2025, all five were apprehended at locations including the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area of Lagos.
The arrested suspects are:
- Kosiko Patrick, 17
- Victor Aligwo, 15 (the alleged victim)
- David Odudu, 19
- Anyabike Kingsley, 20
- Umeh Victor, 19
Authorities Move to Reassure the Public
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that all five suspects will be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction. Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh used the incident to issue a stern warning to criminal elements, affirming the command's resolve to protect lives and property.
Authorities were quick to clarify that this was an isolated, fabricated incident and not a genuine kidnapping case. They have urged Lagos residents to remain calm and vigilant, encouraging the public to report any suspicious activities promptly through the command's emergency channels.
This case highlights the evolving nature of crime and the police's increasing reliance on financial intelligence and technology to track and apprehend suspects, even in complex, staged scenarios.
