Police Arrest 5 Suspected Fake Kidnappers In Lagos

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arrested five suspects in connection with a fake and stage-managed kidnapping incident in a viral video.

The viral video involved a schoolboy seen pleading for mercy in a fake kidnappers’ den.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, who disclosed this on Friday, stated that the operatives apprehended the suspects at approximately 1 pm on Thursday.

Adebisi said that a preliminary investigation revealed the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a case of a missing person at Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025.

“Subsequent to the investigation, it was established that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, one Victor Aligwo ‘m, in collaboration with four of his friends, using the room of his cohorts, Umeh Victor, to carry out the fake kidnapping act,” she said.

The Lagos police spokesperson added that, following a diligent, intelligence-led, and discreet investigation, the suspects were apprehended on December 17 and 18, 2025, at the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area, respectively.

The PPRO, who stated that the arrested suspects were now in police custody, gave their names as 17-year-old Kosiko Patrick, Victor Aligwo (15 years), David Odudu (19 years), Anyabike Kingsley (20 years), and 19-year-old Umeh Victor, all males.

Police said further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to stage the kidnapping with the intent of extorting money from the mother of the suspected victim, Victor Aligwo, who had recently received the sum of ₦4million from a contribution.

As part of the measure to make the scheme real, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Aligwo pleading for help, thereby creating fear and panic in the minds of his mother and his family members to pay ransom to the fake kidnappers.

Adebisi stated that a ransom of ₦1.7 million was paid and later transferred to the account of one of the suspects by the mother to secure his release.

“The money was later shared amongst them. Following the payment, the Police operatives traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the ransom transaction, leading to the arrest of all suspects involved,” the PPRO said.

Adebisi added that an investigation was ongoing into the matter, assuring that all the suspects would be charged before a competent court for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Jimoh Olohundare, has warned all criminal elements to desist from any form of crime, assuring that the Command will not relent in ensuring the safety of lives and property, while also curbing any form of criminal activity within the state.

The Command further reassured Lagos residents that the incident was not a case of kidnapping, stressing that there was no cause for alarm or panic.

“Members of the public are encouraged to continue their lawful activities and promptly report any suspicious acts or movements to the Police through the Command’s emergency number: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870,” Adebisi stated.