The Ondo State Police Command has stopped a fake kidnapping planned by a family member who wanted to trick relatives into paying ransom. The command announced this on Tuesday in Akure.
The spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, said the case showed how criminals are now trying new ways to defraud people. He said the command will continue to stay ahead of such schemes.
Ayanlade explained that the incident came to light during a routine bush search carried out by officers from the Ogbese Division with support from OPC members, hunters, vigilantes, and other local security groups. The operation took place around Kashimola and Agunla forest areas in Akure North.
He said the team stopped a motorcycle carrying two brothers, John Peter, 30, and James Peter, both from Igbodudu Camp. A search of their bags led to the discovery of 800 thousand naira, a pack of cigarettes, and a bottle of schnapps. The items raised suspicion.
According to him, the men later told the police that the money was meant as ransom for their younger brother, Mathew Ekele, 28, who they claimed had been kidnapped.
Ayanlade said, “The operatives interrogated the duo, who revealed that the recovered money was intended as ransom for kidnappers who had supposedly abducted their younger brother.”
With this information, officers set up a controlled operation and positioned themselves at the spot where the ransom was to be collected.
“Through intelligence-led policing and concerted operational efforts, one individual who showed up to receive the ransom was immediately arrested,” Ayanlade said.
However, he added that further investigation changed the story.
“It was discovered that the entire incident was a staged kidnapping engineered by the supposed victim. Ekele was later arrested at a nearby bush along Ogbese Road, where he had positioned himself to collect the ransom after pretending to have been abducted,” he said. His motorcycle was also recovered.
Ayanlade urged residents to stay alert and report any strange movement to the police without delay.
“Timely reporting is essential in preventing individuals from falling victim to stage-managed kidnapping schemes aimed at swindling families of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The spokesperson noted that the command will continue to act quickly to protect lives and property across the state.
Last week, the same command arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued a couple taken from their farm hut near the Ondo–Ekiti border in Itaogbolu, Akure North.
