The Nigerian Police force has disclosed the arrest of four persons who faked a kidnapping to acquire a N5M ransom.
In a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos state command, Ben Hundeyin, the activities of the suspects were disclosed.
One Agnes Ogbeh and a co conspirator had sent a video of themselves seemingly in captivity to her family for a ransom of N5million.
The police had however traced the hideout and found the alleged victims living in harmony.
Other connivers were subsequently caught and have been paraded by the police.
The statement reads;
“Detectives of the Lagos States Police Command have arrested Margret Itodo ‘f’ aged 25, Agnes Ogbeh ‘f’ aged 23, Esther Anyanwu ‘f’ aged 24 and Anthony Chinakwe ‘m’ aged 24 for faking the kidnap of Agnes Ogbeh.
On March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, resident in Akure, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in Lagos. The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them. The ‘kidnappers’ demanded the sum of Five Million Naira for the release of Agnes.
Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of the Command commenced a discreet and diligent investigation into the matter. The hideout was located where Agnes, the other lady in the video and two others were found living freely together.
Further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real. All four have made confessional statements and are to be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni while commending the detectives for a timely investigation calls on Lagosians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.”
