The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspects linked to a fake kidnapping syndicate following a viral video showing a schoolboy pleading for his life in what was initially believed to be a real abduction.
Police, however, have confirmed that the incident was a stage-managed operation allegedly orchestrated by the supposed victim, Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with his friends, with the intent of extorting money from his mother.
In a statement released on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad uncovered the plot after intelligence-led investigations. According to her, the case was first reported as a missing person incident at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, one Victor Aligwo ‘m’, in collaboration with four of his friends, using the room of his cohort, Umeh Victor, to carry out the fake kidnapping act,” the statement said.
Adebisi disclosed that the suspects were arrested on December 17 and 18, 2025, at Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area of Lagos. Those in custody are Kosiko Patrick (17), Victor Aligwo (15), David Odudu (19), Anyabike Kingsley (20) and Umeh Victor (19).
She added that further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly staged the incident after learning that Aligwo’s mother had recently received ₦4 million from a contribution. To make the plot appear genuine, the group recorded and circulated a distress video showing the boy pleading for help, thereby creating fear and panic within his family.
“A ransom of ₦1.7 million was paid by the mother and transferred to the account of one of the suspects. The money was later shared among them,” the statement said, noting that police traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the transaction, which led to the arrest of all those involved.
The police said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned criminal elements in the state to desist from all forms of crime, assuring residents of the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.
The Command also clarified that the incident was not a genuine case of kidnapping and urged members of the public to remain calm, stating that there is no cause for panic.
