Man Fakes Own Kidnap, Collects Ransom From Family Before Police Arrest

Detectives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a 33-year-old man, Olawale Sikiru, and one of his alleged accomplices for reportedly staging his own abduction and extorting money from his family under the guise of a ransom demand.

The police said the scheme was uncovered after a woman identified simply as Iyabo reported on July 5, 2026, that her son had allegedly been kidnapped while travelling to Igbara-Oke for work.

According to the spokesperson for the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the report triggered an intensive investigation by detectives, who immediately began tracking those behind the alleged abduction.

Jimoh said forensic analysis of the phone number used to demand a ransom of ₦1 million from the family led investigators to Sikiru’s arrest on July 7.

The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspect had already received ₦50,000 from his family as part payment of the ransom before the plot unravelled.

“Investigation revealed that he deliberately staged the abduction and succeeded in collecting ₦50,000 as part of the ransom paid by his family for his purported release,” Jimoh said.

Further investigations led to the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Agbelusi Ayomide, who allegedly assisted in carrying out the plan.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Agbelusi Ayomide, 23 years old, who allegedly conspired with the suspect and harboured him in his residence while the fraudulent kidnapping plot was being executed,” the police spokesman added.

The command said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest other individuals believed to have been involved in the operation.

Jimoh noted that both suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.