The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly staging a fake kidnap in an attempt to extort N4million from the family of one of the suspects.
Confirming the development in a statement released on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, said detectives uncovered the alleged scheme after acting on credible information.
According to the command, investigations revealed that the incident was orchestrated on 23 June when one of the suspects allegedly contacted Alabi’s relatives and demanded ransom for his supposed release.
The suspects, identified as 48-year-old Lucky Alabi, and 37-year-old Taiye Enahoro, both from Uneme Akpama Community in Edo State, were arrested by operatives of the Igarra Division following what police described as intelligence-led investigations.
Police uncover alleged plot
The statement partly read, “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 police said further findings showed that the suspects allegedly executed the plan through a series of telephone calls intended to convince family members that Alabi had been abducted.
“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.”
Suspects allegedly confess
The command disclosed that both suspects admitted to their involvement and would face prosecution after investigations are completed.
“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.
Police warn against criminal deception
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, warned residents against engaging in criminal deception and fraudulent schemes.
Mr Agbonika cautioned against staging kidnappings or attempting to extort money from unsuspecting relatives under false pretences.
“The command reiterates its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, security-conscious and promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
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