The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Lucky Alabi, for staging his own abduction in Igarra. The spokesperson for the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, June 28, 2026, stating that Alabi was arrested alongside his accomplice, Taiye Enahoro.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Enahoro allegedly contacted Alabi's relatives, falsely claiming that he had been kidnapped and demanded the sum of N4 million as ransom for his release. The statement read: “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on 26th June, 2026, at about 1030hrs, operatives of Igarra Division arrested two suspects, Lucky Alabi ‘M’, 48 years, and Taiye Enahoro ‘M’, 37 years, both of Uneme Akpama Community, for conspiring to stage the fake kidnapping of Lucky Alabi.”
How the Deception Was Uncovered
Acting on credible intelligence and through diligent investigative efforts, police operatives uncovered the deception and successfully arrested both suspects. Preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal plan was executed on 23rd June, 2026, when Taiye Enahoro allegedly placed several telephone calls to relatives of Lucky Alabi, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding the sum of Four Million Naira (N4,000,000) as ransom for his release.
The 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, fdc, warned members of the public against engaging in any form of criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.
Police Warning and Commitment
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,” the statement added. The arrest highlights the growing trend of fake kidnappings used to extort families, and the police have vowed to crack down on such deceptive practices.
