Police arrest 4 for faking kidnapping, defrauding victim’s parents of N2m

The Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has apprehended four male suspects for staging a fake kidnapping and extorting ₦2 million from the victim’s parents.

Among those arrested was 21-year-old Chidera Godwin Ako, who masterminded his own abduction. Others involved in the conspiracy include Okechukwu Philip Chidalu (19), Ifeanyi Ugwu (20), and Ossai Chigozie (35), a recently released ex-convict from the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The suspects were arrested around 1:00 p.m. on May 24, 2025. During the operation, police recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges.

According to the spokesman of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, Chidera was reported missing on May 4.

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“Subsequently, on May 21, 2025, his accomplices used his phone to demand a N10million ransom from his parents, sending a video of him bound, appearing beaten, with the recovered gun pointed at him.

“The parents pleaded for his release and paid N1.5million into a provided account, on May 22, but the suspects failed to release him. After an additional N500,000 payment, the police operatives swiftly arrested Chidera and his accomplices at a POS centre during an attempt to withdraw the funds.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and will be arraigned upon completion of investigations,” the police said.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, while describing the criminal act as unfortunate, has ordered further arrests of anyone linked to the crime.

He urged the public to report suspected kidnappings and avoid hasty ransom payments, emphasising that some cases might be staged.