Teenagers fake kidnap, demand ₦200,000 ransom from father in Niger

A 15-year-old boy and his 17-year-old accomplice have been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly staging a fake kidnap in a failed attempt to extort ₦200,000 from the teenager’s father.

The suspects, identified as Kelvin Faga, 15, and Mayowa Ojewuyi, popularly known as “Mayor,” 17, were apprehended after police investigations revealed that the purported abduction was orchestrated by the duo.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, Kelvin left home for church on July 20, 2026, but did not return, prompting his family to report him missing at the ‘B’ Division in Suleja.

Abiodun said that the following day, the family received a telephone call demanding a ransom of ₦200,000, with the caller claiming that Kelvin had been kidnapped.

He said police operatives immediately commenced investigations and, acting on credible intelligence, tracked the teenager to a hotel in Suleja on July 25, where he was found in the company of his alleged accomplice.

“The suspects confessed during interrogation that they planned the fake kidnap to extort ₦200,000 from Kelvin’s father and share the money between themselves,” Abiodun stated.

The police spokesperson said both suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where further investigations are ongoing.

He added that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.