The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals, including two sisters, for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping to extort N5 million from their own father.
FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the suspects staged the fake abduction in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja to demand ransom from the elderly man.
According to the police, the incident came to light after one Mr. Innocent reported to the Jikwoyi Divisional Headquarters that his 16-year-old daughter, who had left home on July 18 for an exam at Government Secondary School, Karu, failed to return. Days later, he received a call from unknown persons demanding a ransom for her release.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) launched a discreet investigation involving intelligence gathering and digital tracking. The phone number used to contact the victim's father was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II, where officers discovered the missing girl casually eating and chatting with two other suspects — with no signs of distress.
Further investigation revealed a shocking twist: the victim’s elder sister and her boyfriend, who is legally married to another woman, had masterminded the fake abduction. The younger sister, far from being a victim, was an active participant in the plan and stayed willingly with the suspects throughout the staged ordeal.
“The elder sister remained at home pretending to be unaware, even as their parents suffered emotional anguish while trying to raise the ransom,” SP Adeh disclosed.
All four suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody. They have reportedly confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the incident, FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajao Adewale, condemned the act as a heartbreaking betrayal rooted within the family. He called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children’s emotional wellbeing and behavioural patterns.
“Open communication at home is key to preventing such manipulative and criminal behaviour,” the Commissioner said.
