Man fakes his own Kidnapping, forces Brother to sell property for N12 million ransom

Man fakes his own Kidnapping, forces Brother to sell property for N12 million ransom

The Edo State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping in Ekpoma, where a man allegedly faked his own abduction, forcing his brother to sell property to raise a ransom.

The incident was reported to the police on January 10, according to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem.

Investigations revealed that the supposed victim, identified as Idris Isiaka, a vulcanizer based on Balogun Street in the Emaudo community of Ekpoma, conspired with two accomplices to orchestrate the fake kidnap.

Police said Isiaka arranged for news of his “abduction” to be circulated on social media through a blogger and subsequently demanded a ransom of ₦12 million from his family.

Believing the story to be genuine, his brother reportedly sold a personal property in a desperate bid to secure his release.

However, detectives later uncovered the deception and arrested Isiaka along with his collaborators.

The police described the act as criminal and deceitful, warning members of the public against engaging in similar schemes.

The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution once investigations are concluded.

The PPRO explained that the suspect “immediately engineered the circulation of his kidnap on social media through a blogger and demanded a ransom of Twelve Million Naira.

“His family in Kogi State was further contacted, threatening that he would be killed if the ransom was not paid”.

He said the brother, however, “sold his property and paid part of the ransom money which was shared with his accomplices, one Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, both of whom are currently at large.

“The suspect has confessed to the crime. He will be arraigned in court after investigation”.