Four Arrested In Lagos For Faking Kidnap, Demanding N5m Ransom

Operatives of the Lagos States Police Command have arrested four people for faking kidnap and demanding N5 million ransom.

The suspects were identified as Margret Itodo, Agnes Ogbeh, Esther Anyanwu, and Anthony Chinakwe.

They were arrested for faking the kidnap of Ogbeh.

According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Ogbeh, who resides in Akure, Ondo State capital, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in the state.

Later her family back in Akure received a video showing her and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them.

However, upon investigation, detectives from the Command found Ogbeh, the other lady in the video and two others at a hideout living freely together.

Further investigation showed that Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real.

“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,” Hundeyin said in a statement on Friday.

Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, while commending the detectives for a “timely investigation” called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.