Police arrest five over staged kidnapping in Lagos

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspects linked to a fake kidnapping incident that circulated widely on social media, showing a schoolboy pleading for mercy in a purported kidnappers’ hideout.

The arrests were carried out on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at about 1:00 p.m., according to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and shared on the Police’s official X handle on Friday.

Police investigations revealed that the incident, which was initially reported as a missing person case at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025, was deliberately staged by the alleged victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four others.

Findings showed that the fake abduction was carried out at the residence of one of the suspects, Umeh Victor.

The suspects were identified as Kosiko Patrick (17), Victor Aligwo (15), David Odudu (19), Anyabike Kingsley (20), and Umeh Victor (19).

They were arrested during intelligence-driven operations conducted between December 17 and 18 at the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the staged kidnapping was aimed at extorting money from Victor Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received N4 million from personal contributions. To pressure her, the suspects recorded and circulated a video showing the teenager in distress, demanding ransom.

The mother reportedly paid N1.7 million through a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal.

Police traced the transaction and discovered that the money had already been shared among the suspects before their arrest.

The Lagos State Police Command said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the probe.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also clarified that the incident was not a genuine kidnapping and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the Police emergency lines: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, and 0803 934 4870.