Police arrest two for faking kidnap to extort family members

Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnap scheme aimed at extorting N4 million from the family members of one of the suspects.

The suspects, identified as Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both from Uneme Akpama Community, were apprehended by operatives attached to the Igarra Division following what police described as intelligence-driven investigations.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, said detectives uncovered the alleged plan after acting on credible intelligence.

According to the command, preliminary investigations revealed that the fake abduction plot was allegedly carried out on June 23, 2026, when one of the suspects reportedly contacted Alabi’s relatives and demanded ransom for his supposed release.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on 26th June, 2026, at about 1030hrs, operatives of Igarra Division arrested two suspects, Lucky Alabi ‘M’, 48 years, and Taiye Enahoro ‘M’, 37 years, both of Uneme Akpama Community, for conspiring to stage the fake kidnapping of Lucky Alabi,” the statement read.

“Acting on credible intelligence and through diligent investigative efforts, police operatives uncovered the deception and successfully arrested both suspects as preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal plan was executed on 23rd June, 2026, when Taiye Enahoro allegedly placed several telephone calls to relatives of Lucky Alabi, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding the sum of N4,000,000 as ransom for his release.”

The police disclosed that both suspects had allegedly confessed to their roles in the incident and would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.

“The suspects have confessed to their respective roles in the staged kidnapping and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, warned residents against engaging in criminal deception, particularly staged kidnappings intended to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.

“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, warns members of the public against engaging in any form of criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.

“The command reiterates its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice,” the statement quoted the CP as saying.

The command also advised residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities promptly.