The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old boy who staged his own kidnapping in a bid to extort N200,000 from his father. The suspect, Kelvin Faga, was arrested alongside his 17-year-old accomplice, Mayowa Ojewuyi, in Suleja, according to the command's spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
Disappearance and Ransom Demand
Faga disappeared after attending church on 20 July 2026 and failed to return home. The following day, his family received a telephone call demanding a ransom of N200,000 and claiming the boy had been abducted. Acting on a report made at B Division, Suleja, police detectives launched an investigation that led to tracing the missing teenager to a hotel in Suleja, where he was found in the company of Ojewuyi.
Confession and Investigation
During interrogation, both suspects confessed that they planned to extort the sum of N200,000 from Kelvin's father and share the proceeds between them. The police statement read: "A report received at B Div Suleja indicated that on 21st July 2026, a complaint was made at the Division that one Kelvin Faga, 15yrs of Suleja went to church on 20th July 2026 and did not return home, but the following day, a call was received demanding for a ransom of N200,000 stating that the boy had been kidnapped."
"On receipt of the information, Police operatives of the Division commenced investigation and acting on credible intelligence, the said Kelvin was found at a hotel in Suleja on 25th July 2026 with his accomplice, one Mayowa Ojewuyi a.k.a Mayor, 17yrs of Suleja. During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they planned to extort the sum of N200,000 from Kelvin's father after which they would share the proceeds of the crime."
Legal Action Pending
The suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) undergoing further investigation, after which they will be charged to court accordingly. This incident highlights the growing concern of self-kidnapping as a means of extortion, which has been reported in various parts of Nigeria.
