Enugu police arrest 4 for faking kidnap to extort N2m from victim’s parents

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a staged kidnapping aimed at extorting money from the victim’s parents.

The arrest was carried out by the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad on May 24, 2025, at around 1:00 p.m. Among the suspects is 21-year-old Chidera Godwin Ako, who shockingly masterminded his own abduction. His accomplices include Okechukwu Philip Chidalu (19), Ifeanyi Ugwu (20), and Ossai Chigozie (35)—an ex-convict recently released from the Nigerian Correctional Service.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, Chidera was initially reported missing by his family on May 4, prompting concern and search efforts. However, police investigations uncovered that the entire kidnapping was faked, and a ransom of ₦2 million had already been collected from his unsuspecting parents.

During the operation, the police recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges from the suspects.

“Subsequently, on May 21, 2025, his accomplices used his phone to demand a N10million ransom from his parents, sending a video of him bound, appearing beaten, with the recovered gun pointed at him.

“The parents pleaded for his release and paid N1.5million into a provided account, on May 22, but the suspects failed to release him. After an additional N500,000 payment, the police operatives swiftly arrested Chidera and his accomplices at a POS centre during an attempt to withdraw the funds.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and will be arraigned upon completion of investigations,” the police said.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, while describing the criminal act as unfortunate, has ordered further arrests of anyone linked to the crime.

He urged the public to report suspected kidnappings and avoid hasty ransom payments, emphasising that some cases might be staged.