By RismadarVoice Media, December 19, 2025
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with a fake, stage-managed kidnapping involving a schoolboy, which sparked widespread public concern after a distress video went viral.
The suspects were apprehended between December 17 and 18, 2025, following investigations into a video that showed the schoolboy pleading for mercy in what was portrayed as a kidnappers’ den.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed that the case was initially reported as a missing person incident at the Ago Palace Police Division on November 26, 2025.
According to her, investigations later revealed that the alleged kidnapping was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four of his friends.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern was deliberately staged by the victim, his accomplices, using the room of one of the suspects, Umeh Victor, to carry out the act,” Adebisi stated.
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 Volkswagen Roundabout, in the Ago Palace area of Lagos State.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly staged the kidnapping to extort money from Aligwo’s mother, who had recently received ₦4 million from a contribution.
“To make the fake kidnapping appear genuine, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor Aligwo pleading for help, thereby creating fear and panic to compel his family to pay ransom,” Adebisi explained.
She added that a total sum of ₦1.7 million was paid by the victim’s mother and transferred to one of the suspects’ bank accounts, after which the money was shared among them.
The police were able to unravel the scheme after tracing the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the transaction, which led to the arrest of all those involved.
Adebisi said investigations are ongoing, that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of inquiries.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned criminal elements to desist from crime, assuring residents that the command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
The police also reassured Lagos residents that the incident was not a genuine kidnapping, urged the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and promptly report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
