- Distress Video, Fake Den: How Lagos Police Foiled Stage-Managed Kidnapping
- Suspect were within the age of 15 – 120
- Further findings showed that the suspects conspired to fake the abduction with the intention of extorting money from Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received N4 million from a contribution
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspects in connection with a fake and stage-managed kidnapping carried out in the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the suspects were apprehended at about 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following an investigation into an incident that involved a schoolboy pleading for mercy in a staged kidnappers’ den.
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Those arrested were identified as Anyabike Kingsley (20), Kosiko Patrick (17), Victor Aligwo (15), David Odudu (19), and Umeh Victor (19). All the suspects are currently in police custody.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident, which initially sparked widespread public concern, was first reported as a missing person case at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025. However, further inquiries established that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the supposed victim, Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four of his friends.
Police disclosed that the suspects used the room of one of their accomplices, Umeh Victor, to stage the fake kidnapping. Acting on intelligence-led and discreet investigations, operatives arrested the suspects on December 17 and 18, 2025, at the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area, respectively.
Further findings showed that the suspects conspired to fake the abduction with the intention of extorting money from Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received N4 million from a contribution.
To make the act appear genuine, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing the schoolboy pleading for help, thereby creating fear and panic among his family. As a result, a ransom of N1.7 million was paid by the victim’s mother and transferred to the account of one of the suspects. The money was later shared among the group.
Police operatives were able to trace the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the ransom transaction, leading to the arrest of all those involved.
Spokesperson for the command, Abimbola Adebisi, said investigations are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has warned criminal elements to desist from all forms of crime, assuring residents that the command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.
The police further reassured residents that the incident was not a genuine case of kidnapping and urged the public to remain calm. Residents were encouraged to continue their lawful activities and report any suspicious movements through the command’s emergency numbers: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870.
