The Force Criminal Investigation Department (F-CID) has apprehended a middle-aged man from Benue State, identified as Andrew Paul Audu, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in a calculated attempt to gain political leverage and create unnecessary unrest.
The suspect reportedly disappeared on 8th March 2025 at approximately 6:00 am, claiming he had been abducted by political adversaries.
In the days that followed, he circulated alarming messages alleging that rivals had kidnapped him to silence his voice ahead of local political activities. This false report instigated panic among family members, supporters, and security agencies, prompting a costly search operation that wasted valuable resources.
However, on the evening of Friday, 31st October 2025, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested him on Abacha Road in Abuja. He was discovered relaxing with friends, enjoying grilled fish and beer—far removed from any perceived danger.
The arrest followed weeks of investigation initiated by the Inspector General of Police after the initial report was flagged as suspicious.
Operating under the online alias “Mallam Sheik Audu,” the suspect maintains a Facebook page where he presents himself as a Muslim cleric. Despite claiming to be a Muslim, he regularly posts content that contradicts Islamic principles, including derogatory remarks against public figures, ethnic groups, and religious leaders.
He is notorious for using the platform to attack anyone who disagrees with his political views, often disseminating hate speech and misinformation to draw attention to himself.
Police sources indicate that his motive was to embarrass political opponents by implicating them in the fictitious kidnapping and to elicit sympathy for his cause. He is also believed to have planned to demand ransom from supporters under false pretences.
The suspect remains in F-CID custody in Abuja and will face charges of kidnapping and abduction, which are non-bailable offences.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if others were complicit in this scheme.