Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 15-year old boy, Victor Aligwo, for allegedly engaging four of his friends to fake kidnapping in order to exort ransom from his mother.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the other suspects included Kosiko Patrick 17, David Odudu,19, Anyabike Kingsley, 20 and Umeh Victor,19.
They were apprehended in the intelligence-led operations conducted on 17th and 18th December at Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area.
The suspects were arrested in connection with a staged kidnapping that went viral online, showing a schoolboy pleading for mercy in a fabricated “kidnappers’ den”.
However, they were arrested on Thursday, 18th December 2025, around 1:00 pm by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command as disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Friday.
The image maker confirmed the arrest and disclosed that the preliminary investigations revealed that the case, initially reported as a missing person incident at Ago Palace Division on 26th November 2025, was deliberately orchestrated by the supposed victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, together with four of his friends.
She stated that the fake kidnapping incident was staged at the residence of one of his friends, Umeh Victor.
She further stated that investigations indicated that the fake abduction was intended to extort money from Victor Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received a sum of N4m from contributions.
“The suspects filmed and circulated a distress video of Victor pleading for help to create fear and pressure the mother into paying a ransom.The mother reportedly paid a ransom of N1.7 million through a Point-of-Sale, POS, terminal, which was later traced by the Police.”
“The funds were shared among the suspects before their arrests. Investigations are ongoing, and the five individuals are expected to be charged in court.” the PPRO stated.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has urged criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities and assured residents that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property in the State.