Police Arrest Two For Staging Fake Kidnap To Extort N4m
The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly staging a fake kidnap in an attempt to extort N4 million from the family of one of the suspects.
The suspects, identified as Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both from Uneme Akpama Community, were arrested by operatives of the Igarra Police Division following intelligence-led investigations.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikioedem, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the statement, investigations revealed that the alleged scheme was carried out on June 23, 2026, when Enahoro reportedly contacted Alabi’s relatives by telephone, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of N4 million for his release.
Ikioedem said the suspects were arrested on June 26 after detectives uncovered the alleged plot through credible intelligence and investigative efforts.
She said, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on 26th June, 2026, at about 10:30hrs, operatives of Igarra Division arrested two suspects, Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both of Uneme Akpama Community, for conspiring to stage the fake kidnapping of Lucky Alabi.
“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 Four Million Naira as ransom for his release.”
The police said both suspects had confessed to their respective roles in the alleged crime and would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
“The suspects have confessed to their respective roles in the staged kidnapping and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against engaging in criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from relatives.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that all persons involved in criminal activities are brought to justice.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
