The Ebonyi State Police Command reported the arrest of two suspects accused of orchestrating a fake kidnapping to extort money. In a statement released on Saturday, spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu detailed that the operation began on October 31, 2026, when one suspect’s father contacted authorities to report his son had been allegedly abducted from his hostel in the Ikwo Local Government Area.
The concerned father described receiving “view-once” videos and voice messages showing his son bound and pleading for help. The alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦30,000,000, threatening to harm the young man if their demands were not met.
SP Ukandu noted that following the father’s report, police operatives launched an intensive investigation to uncover the details of the incident and locate the suspects. Effective surveillance and investigative efforts led to the arrests on the night of November 5, 2026, as the suspects were leaving a hiding place.
In response to the incident, Commissioner of Police CP Hope Urunwa Okafor issued a warning to the public against engaging in fraudulent schemes. He emphasized that staging a kidnapping not only causes emotional distress to victims’ families but also misuses police resources that are needed for real security concerns. He reiterated that such actions are serious offenses that could lead to legal consequences.
