The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in a bid to extort ₦4 million from the family of one of the suspects.
The suspects, Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both of Uneme Akpama Community, were arrested by operatives of the Igarra Police Division following what the command described as intelligence-led investigations.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, in a statement on Sunday said detectives uncovered the alleged plot after acting on credible intelligence.
According to the command, preliminary investigations revealed that the scheme was executed on June 23, 2026, when Enahoro allegedly made several telephone calls to Alabi’s relatives, falsely claiming that he had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of ₦4 million for his release.
“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, 48 years, and Taiye Enahoro, 37 years, both of Uneme Akpama Community, for conspiring to stage the fake kidnapping of Lucky Alabi,” Ikioedem said.
“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 ₦4,000,000 as ransom for his release.”
The police spokesperson said both suspects had admitted 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 the investigation,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against engaging in criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from relatives.
“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, warns members of the public against engaging in any form of criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice,” the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious, while encouraging them to promptly report suspicious activities to the police for swift intervention.
