The Lagos police command has taken five individuals into custody following the uncovering of a fabricated and arranged kidnapping involving a minor.
Abimbola Adebisi, police public relations officer of the command, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Friday.
The arrests, carried out on December 17 and 18, followed investigations into a widely circulated video in which the schoolboy appeared to beg for his life inside what was portrayed as a kidnappers’ hideout.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a missing person case at Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025,” the statement reads.
“Subsequent investigation established that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four friends, using the room of one of the suspects, Umeh Victor, to carry out the act.
“The suspects were identified as Kosiko Patrick, 17, Victor Aligwo, 15, David Odudu, 19, Anyabike Kingsley, 20, and Umeh Victor, 19.”
The suspects were arrested at different locations around Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace axis of Lagos.
Investigators alleged that the group staged the incident with the intention of extorting money from Victor Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received N4 million from a group contribution.
“To make the fake kidnapping appear real, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor Aligwo pleading for help, creating fear and panic to compel his family to pay ransom,” the police spokesperson said.
“A sum of ₦1.7 million was paid by the mother and transferred to one of the suspects’ accounts. The money was later shared among them.
“Following the payment, police traced the Point-of-Sale terminal used for the transaction, leading to the arrest of all suspects involved.”
Adebisi said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court once inquiries were concluded.
Reacting to the incident, Olohundare Jimoh, commissioner of police, Lagos state, cautioned criminal elements to desist from unlawful acts and assured residents of the command’s commitment to public safety.
The police further clarified that the incident was not a genuine kidnapping and urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and report any suspicious movements promptly.