Edo Police Arrest Vulcaniser for Faking Own Kidnapping, Raking in ₦12m Ransom

Edo Police Arrest Vulcaniser for Faking Own Kidnapping, Raking in ₦12m Ransom

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old vulcaniser, Idris Isiaka, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, in a bid to extort millions of naira from his family.

The arrest comes barely 24 hours after a similar fake abduction case involving an 18-year-old girl, Obehi Odine, raising fresh concerns over a growing trend of self-kidnapping and ransom scams in Edo State.

Confirming the development in a statement on Wednesday, January 14, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, said Isiaka carried out the staged abduction on Saturday, January 10, with the assistance of two accomplices who are currently at large.

According to the police, the suspect deliberately circulated news of his purported abduction on social media through a blogger and demanded a ₦12 million ransom, while threatening his family with death if the money was not paid.

The statement revealed that Isiaka’s brother, convinced his sibling was in danger, sold his property to raise ransom money. Part of the funds was allegedly paid and later shared among the suspects.

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“A case of self-kidnapping has been recorded in Emaudo, Ekpoma, where Idris Isiaka, a 34-year-old vulcaniser, deliberately staged his own kidnapping along with two others,” the statement read.

“His brother sold his property and paid part of the ransom money, which was shared with his accomplices, Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, both currently at large. The suspect has confessed and will be arraigned in court after investigation.”

SP Ikoedem warned that the command has observed a surge in fabricated kidnapping cases, particularly around Ekpoma, noting that such acts are aimed at defrauding unsuspecting relatives.

She said the police have intensified intelligence-driven operations to curb the trend and commended local youths whose timely information led to Isiaka’s arrest.

“Their cooperation highlights the importance of community policing and security partnerships,” she said, urging residents to support lawful efforts that promote peace and safety.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has issued a stern warning against self-kidnapping, false abduction reports and ransom scams, stressing that such offences fuel public fear and waste critical security resources.

Agbonika assured residents that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Edo Police Arrest Vulcaniser for Faking Own Kidnapping, Raking in ₦12m Ransom