The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old tyre repairer, Idris Isiaka, for allegedly staging his own abduction in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state, and extorting millions of naira as ransom from his family.
Isiaka, popularly known as a vulcaniser, was arrested after police investigations revealed that the purported kidnapping, reported to have occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Emaudo Community, was allegedly orchestrated by the suspect in collaboration with two accomplices.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the suspect deliberately spread news of his “abduction” through a blogger shortly after the incident and demanded a ransom of ₦12m.
According to the police, members of Isiaka’s family in Kogi State were contacted and threatened that he would be killed if the ransom was not paid.
Ikoedem said the threats prompted the suspect’s brother to sell personal property to raise part of the ransom, which was paid and later shared among Isiaka and his accomplices.
“The investigation revealed that the alleged kidnapping was self-orchestrated. The suspect has since confessed to the crime,” the police spokesperson said.
He added that the two accomplices, identified as Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, are currently on the run, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
Ikoedem noted that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the arrest followed a similar incident recorded in Ekpoma days earlier, where a woman, identified as Obehi Odine, was arrested for allegedly staging her own kidnapping and demanding a ₦10m ransom.
Describing the trend as disturbing, the Command warned residents against engaging in self-kidnapping and false abduction claims, noting that such acts constitute serious criminal offences and divert security resources from genuine cases.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, cautioned individuals involved in or contemplating ransom-related fraud to desist, assuring that the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations to curb the practice.
Agbonika also commended youths in Ekpoma for providing timely information that aided the arrest, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
