15-Year-Old Fakes Own Kidnap, Extorts N1.7m From Mother

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old boy and four of his friends for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping and extorting a ransom of N1.7m from the boy’s mother.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Command on December 17 and 18, following investigations into a viral video showing a schoolboy pleading for mercy in what appeared to be a kidnappers’ den.

Police said the incident was initially reported on November 26, 2025, at the Ago Palace Police Division as a case of a missing person. However, preliminary investigations later revealed that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the supposed victim, Victor Aligwo, aged 15, in collaboration with four of his friends.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, the suspects used the room of one of their associates, Umeh Victor, to stage the fake kidnapping.

They also recorded and circulated a distress video of Aligwo pleading for help in order to create fear and panic, particularly in the mind of his mother and family.

The suspects arrested are Kosiko Patrick (17), Victor Aligwo (15), David Odudu (19), Anyabike Kingsley (20), and Umeh Victor (19). They were apprehended at Volkswagen Roundabout and in the Ago Palace area of Lagos.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a case of a missing person at Ago Palace Division on 26th November, 2025. Subsequent to the investigation, it was established that the alleged kidnap was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, one Victor Aligwo ‘m’, in collaboration with four of his friends, using the room of his cohorts, Umeh Victor, to carry out the fake kidnapping act.

“Following diligent, intelligence-led, and discreet investigation, the suspects were apprehended on the 17th and 18th of December, 2025, at Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area, respectively. The suspects who faked the Kidnapping incident were arrested and are now in police custody. They are Kosiko Patrick ‘m’ 17 years, Victor Aligwo ‘m’ 15 years, David Odudu ‘m’ 19 years, Anyabike Kingsley ‘m’ 20 years, Umeh Victor ‘m’ 19 years,” Adebisi said in a statement on Friday.

Further investigation revealed that the group allegedly planned the fake kidnapping to extort money from Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received N4m from a contribution.

A ransom of N1.7m was reportedly paid and transferred to the account of one of the suspects through a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal. Police said the money was later shared among the suspects.

Following the ransom payment, police operatives traced the POS terminal used for the transaction, which led to the arrest of all those involved. The suspects are currently in police custody.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, warned criminal elements to desist from all forms of criminal activities, assuring residents that the Command will continue to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

The Command also reassured the public that the incident was not a genuine case of kidnapping and urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.

Police said investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.