Police arrest two for faking kidnap to extort family members
Edo State Police Arrest Two in Alleged Kidnapping Plot
Benin City, Edo State — The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men accused of staging a fake kidnapping in an attempt to extort 4 million naira from the family of one of the suspects.
The individuals, identified as 48-year-old Lucky Alabi and 37-year-old Taiye Enahoro, both residents of the Uneme Akpama community, were taken into custody by operatives from the Igarra Division on June 26 following an intelligence-driven investigation.
In a statement released on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eno Ikioedem confirmed the arrests, stating that detectives uncovered the alleged plot after receiving credible information. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fake abduction took place on June 23, when Enahoro contacted Alabi’s relatives, falsely claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding the ransom.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on June 26 at approximately 10:30 a.m., operatives from the 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,” the statement read.
The police reported that both suspects have allegedly confessed to their roles in the scheme and will face charges upon completion of the investigation.
“The suspects have admitted their involvement in the staged kidnapping and will be prosecuted once the investigation is finalized,” added the statement.
Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika emphasized the seriousness of such criminal acts. He urged the public to refrain from engaging in deceptive practices, particularly those involving kidnapping for financial gain.
“The Commissioner of Police warns against any form of criminal deception, including staged kidnappings aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting relatives,” he said. “The command is committed to ensuring that all individuals involved in criminal activities are brought to justice.”
The police also urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.
