The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with a fabricated and stage-managed kidnapping involving a schoolboy, which had earlier sparked public outrage after a distress video went viral online.
The suspects were arrested on December 17 and 18, 2025, following investigations into a video that showed the boy begging for his life in what was portrayed as a kidnappers’ hideout.
Confirming the development in a statement on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, explained that the case was initially reported as a missing person incident at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a missing person case at Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025,” Adebisi said.
She disclosed that further investigation uncovered that the kidnapping was not genuine but was carefully planned by the supposed victim himself, Victor Aligwo, with the help of four accomplices.
“Subsequent investigation established that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four friends, using the room of one of the suspects, Umeh Victor, to carry out the act,” she added.
The suspects were identified as Kosiko Patrick (17), Victor Aligwo (15), David Odudu (19), Anyabike Kingsley (20), and Umeh Victor (19). They were arrested at the Volkswagen Roundabout and Ago Palace areas of Lagos.
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According to police findings, the group allegedly staged the fake abduction to extort money from Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received ₦4 million from a financial contribution.
“To make the fake kidnapping appear real, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor Aligwo pleading for help, creating fear and panic to compel his family to pay ransom,” Adebisi stated.
She revealed that ₦1.7 million was eventually paid as ransom and transferred into one of the suspects’ bank accounts, after which the money was shared among them.
“A sum of ₦1.7 million was paid by the mother and transferred to one of the suspects’ accounts. The money was later shared among them,” she said.
The police said the suspects were tracked and arrested after investigators traced the Point-of-Sale terminal used during the transaction.
“Following the payment, police traced the Point-of-Sale terminal used for the transaction, leading to the arrest of all suspects involved,” Adebisi noted.
She added that investigations are still ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court once inquiries are concluded.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned individuals against engaging in criminal acts and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to public safety.
The police also urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the incident was not a real kidnapping, while encouraging the public to go about their lawful activities and promptly report any suspicious movements to security agencies.