Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have uncovered and dismantled a shocking criminal plot, arresting five young men for orchestrating a fake kidnapping. The elaborate scheme was designed to extort a substantial ransom from the mother of one of the suspects.
The Elaborate Staged Kidnapping Unraveled
The Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad made the arrests on Thursday, December 18, 2025, around 1 p.m. The suspects are identified as 20-year-old Anyabike Kingsley; 17-year-old Kosiko Patrick; 15-year-old Victor Aligwo; 19-year-old David Odudu; and 19-year-old Umeh Victor. All are now in police custody following a diligent, intelligence-led investigation.
Police revealed that the incident first came to light as a missing person report filed at the Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025. What initially sparked widespread public concern was later proven to be a carefully planned hoax. The investigation established that the alleged victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, conspired with his four friends to fake his own abduction.
How the Criminal Plot Was Executed
The group used the room of one suspect, Umeh Victor, as the supposed kidnappers' den. To make the kidnapping appear real, they recorded and circulated a distressing video. In the clip, Victor Aligwo was seen pleading for mercy and help, a move calculated to instill fear and panic in his family.
The motive was purely financial. The suspects allegedly targeted Victor's mother because she had recently received the sum of N4 million from a contribution (ajo/thrift). Their goal was to extort a portion of this money. The ploy worked initially, as the terrified mother paid a ransom of N1.7 million to secure her son's release. The money was transferred directly into the account of one of the fake kidnappers and was later shared among all five conspirators.
Police Investigation Leads to Arrests
The breakthrough came when police investigators traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used to process the ransom transaction. This critical piece of evidence led operatives to the suspects' locations. They were apprehended on December 17 and 18, 2025, at the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area respectively.
The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that investigation into the matter is ongoing. She stated unequivocally that all the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
In response to this incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, issued a stern warning to criminal elements. He urged them to desist from all forms of crime within the state, assuring residents that the Command remains unwavering in its duty to ensure the safety of lives and property.
The Command has also moved to reassure the public, emphasizing that this was an isolated case of criminal fraud and not a genuine kidnapping. They have urged Lagos residents to remain calm and continue their lawful daily activities. The police encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious acts or movements using the Command’s emergency numbers: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870.
