The Lagos State Police Command has denied a claim of illegal detention of persons linked to a case of abduction and demand for ransom in a kidnap incident involving 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe.
The State’s Police Command Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed on his verified X handle that the 20-year-old faked his kidnap, as he and five other schoolmates had lodged in a short-let apartment in the Lekki axis of Lagos.
He said, “Following a report from his family, our investigation established that 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe faked his own kidnap. His dad received several calls from Collins’ number but with different voices giving instructions on what amount of money to pay and methods of payment.”
The clarification becomes necessary due to a viral post from an X (formerly Twitter) user with handle 888@Flacko TG, where he posted, “Guys I’m locked up in Ikeja police station. I don’t have enough time, and idk (I don’t know) what to do, so, this is my only alternative so y’all know what happened to me.
“Someone faked his kidnapping and requested for ransom from his dad. His dad reported the case to SARS they tracked his phone.
“I genuinely knew nothing about it until I reached the station. His dad came to the station and requested his release but they insisted on trying the case in court which could take up to three years to resolve. Other people who were in the apartment with him were locked up as well.”
Hundeyin, however, stated, “At different times spanning two weeks, different sums – $500,000; $200,000; N2,000,000; N50,000, and N30,000 – were requested from Collins’ dad.”
He added, “On Thursday, June 20, 2024, detectives of the Lagos State Police Command eventually busted a short-let four-bedroom apartment in Lekki where Collins and five of his schoolmates (one male, four females) had been staying for the past ten days.
“Investigation is being concluded to establish the extent of culpability of the other five occupants of the apartment. For now, none of the suspects has been exonerated,” he added.
