Lagos State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested five teenagers on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, for staging a fake kidnapping to extort ₦1.7 million from a victim’s mother.
Police
The squad acted on a viral video of 15-year-old Victor Aligwo pleading for mercy in a mock kidnappers’ den, initially reported as a missing person at Ago Palace Division on Nov. 26, 2025.
Investigation revealed Aligwo, 15, orchestrated the hoax with four friends—Kosiko Patrick, 17; David Odudu, 19; Anyabike Kingsley, 20; and Umeh Victor, 19—using Umeh’s room as the set.
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The group recorded and circulated the distress video to panic Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received ₦4 million in contributions, police spokesman SP Abimbola Adebisi said.
She paid ₦1.7 million ransom, transferred to a suspect’s account and shared among them. Operatives traced the POS terminal used, leading to arrests at Volkswagen Roundabout and Ago Palace on Dec. 17-18.
The suspects remain in custody as investigation continues; they face court charges soon.
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Lagos Police Commissioner CP Olohundare Jimoh warned criminals to desist, vowing relentless protection of lives and property.
He reassured residents of no real kidnapping threat, urging reports of suspicious activity to 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, or 0803 934 4870.
