Edo State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly staging a fake kidnap in an attempt to extort N4 million from the family of one of the suspects.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Benin.
She identified the suspects as Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both of Uneme Akpama Community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
According to Ikoedem, operatives of the Igarra Police Division arrested the suspects on June 26 following intelligence-led investigations.
She said preliminary findings indicated that the alleged plot was carried out on June 23, when Enahoro allegedly made several telephone calls to Alabi’s relatives, claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of N4 million for his release.
“Acting on credible intelligence and through diligent investigative efforts, police operatives uncovered the deception and successfully arrested both suspects,” she said.
The police spokesperson added that the suspects had allegedly confessed to their roles in the fake kidnap and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
She said the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against engaging in criminal deception, including staging kidnappings to extort money from unsuspecting relatives.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to ensuring all persons involved in criminal acts are brought to justice,” the commissioner said.
He also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
