Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested two men for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnap scheme to extort N4 million from the family of one of the suspects.
The suspects, identified as Lucky Alabi, 48, and Taiye Enahoro, 37, both residents of Uneme Akpama Community, were apprehended by officers attached to the Igarra Police Division after investigations uncovered the alleged plot.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eno Ikioedem, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the arrests followed credible intelligence and painstaking investigative efforts.
According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that the scheme was executed on June 23, 2026, when Enahoro allegedly contacted Alabi’s relatives by telephone, claiming that Alabi had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of N4 million for his release.
The command said detectives uncovered the deception before the plan could succeed, leading to the arrest of both suspects on June 26.
Ikioedem stated that the suspects had admitted their respective roles in the alleged crime during interrogation and would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.
“The suspects have confessed to their involvement in the staged kidnapping and will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation,” the statement said.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, cautioned members of the public against engaging in criminal acts, particularly the staging of kidnappings to defraud unsuspecting relatives.
He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to ensure that anyone involved in criminal activities is brought to justice, while urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or incidents to the police.