How Scrap Dealer Arranged Self Kidnapping With 3 Accomplices To Extort N1.5m

P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

He stated that the arrest followed weeks of investigation into what initially appeared to be a violent abduction.

The Police boss explained that the case began on 19th May, 2026, at about 2200hrs, when one Abubakar reported to the Police that his brother, Adamu Abdullahi, a scrap iron dealer, was missing and could not be reached. Family members feared the worst as hours passed without contact.

The situation worsened days later when

a disturbing video surfaced on the social media. The video showed Abdullahi being beaten with planks while voices off-camera threatened to kill him if a ransom of ₦1,500,000 was not paid by his employer. The footage spread quickly and heightened concern about his safety.

However, after his purported release, Police detectives noticed inconsistencies during their review when Abdullahi returned home. He showed no visible signs of the severe beating depicted in the video. The absence of injuries raised immediate suspicion among investigators.

Thus, he was subjected to further interrogation, Abdullahi then admitted that the kidnapping was fake. He confessed that he had arranged the entire incident to defraud his boss, who regularly entrusted him with money for scrap iron business transactions.

Police said the scheme involved three other men. Abdullahi worked with Adelowo Olalekan Akorede, 35, Yusuf Lukman, 39, and another accomplice who is still at large. The group produced the video and demanded the ransom from the employer, Lawal Abubakar.

The Police stated that further investigation also revealed that Abdullahi had previously diverted ₦490,000 entrusted to him for business purposes, which was recovered from him during the interrogation.

CP Fatai stated that detectives visited the workshop used to record the fake kidnapping video. The location provided additional evidence linking the suspects to the staged incident. Items found at the scene are being used to strengthen the case against them.

He stated that two of the accomplices, Akorede and Lukman, were arrested alongside Abdullahi and efforts are ongoing to track down the fourth suspect who is now at large.

The Lagos State Police Command said the case underscores the lengths some individuals will go to deceive employers and extort money.

He stated that the suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.