Lagos Police Smash Viral 'Self-Kidnapping' Syndicate: Arrest 15-Year-Old Mastermind and Four Others After N1.7m Ransom Extortion

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The Lagos State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on the rising trend of staged or "self-kidnapping" schemes, with the recent dismantling of a notorious syndicate that went viral after a distressing video of a schoolboy pleading for his life circulated widely on social media.

In a swift intelligence-led operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, five suspects—including a 15-year-old schoolboy identified as the mastermind—were arrested between December 17 and 18, 2025, in the Ago Palace and Volkswagen Roundabout areas. The group allegedly orchestrated a fake abduction to extort money from the boy's mother, who had recently received approximately ₦4 million from a contribution.

The incident first came to light on November 26, 2025, when a missing person report was filed at the Ago Palace Police Division. Public alarm escalated after a viral video emerged showing the teenager, Victor Aligwo, bound and begging for mercy in what appeared to be a kidnappers' den. Investigators later uncovered that the entire episode was deliberately staged in the room of one of the accomplices, Umeh Victor, 19, where the distress footage was recorded and shared to create panic and pressure the family into paying ransom.

A terrified mother paid ₦1.7 million, which was transferred via a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal linked to one of the suspects. Police traced the transaction, leading to the arrests. The suspects are:

Victor Aligwo, 15 (the supposed victim and alleged mastermind)

Kosiko Patrick, 17

Umeh Victor, 19 (whose room was used as the fake hideout)

David Odudu, 19

Anyabike Kingsley, 20

All suspects are currently in custody, and investigations continue to determine if they are linked to similar schemes. Upon completion of the probe, they will face charges in court for conspiracy, fraud, and other related offences.

This case highlights a disturbing new wave of "self-kidnapping" frauds in Lagos, where individuals stage their own abductions or those of accomplices to defraud family members, often exploiting viral social media videos to amplify fear. Authorities have warned that such acts waste vital security resources, incite unnecessary public panic, and constitute serious criminal offences under Nigerian law.

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