Lagos police have uncovered a bizarre plot in which a 15-year-old boy reportedly staged his own abduction to extort N1.7 million from his mother.
The development led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the scheme.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad launched a discreet investigation after a missing-person report was filed at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025.
The teenager, identified as Victor Aligwo, was declared missing by his family.
Police investigations later revealed that the abduction was fabricated. Victor, along with four accomplices, allegedly created a fake “kidnappers’ den” inside one of the suspect’s residences.
A distress video of the boy pleading for help was circulated online to pressure his mother into paying a ransom.
Further inquiry showed that Victor’s mother had recently acquired N4 million through contributions, which the suspects reportedly exploited.
Acting on fear generated by the video, she transferred N1.7 million via a Point-of-Sale transaction.
Police traced the payment, leading to intelligence-led operations on December 17 and 18 around Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace axis. Five suspects—Kosiko Patrick, 17; Victor Aligwo, 15; David Odudu, 19; Anyabike Kingsley, 20; and Umeh Victor, 19 were arrested, with the fake kidnapping reportedly staged at Umeh Victor’s residence.
Investigators said the ransom money was shared among the suspects before their arrest.
“Financial trails played a key role in unmasking the deception,” an officer noted, adding that digital and financial evidence strengthened the case.
Confirming the arrests on Friday, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi described the incident as a clear case of criminal conspiracy and attempted extortion.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Olohundare Jimoh warned that the case should serve as a deterrent, stressing that no actual kidnapping occurred.
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