The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four suspects, including two sisters, for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping in a bid to extort N5 million from their father.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday, revealing that the elaborate scheme was exposed through diligent investigation and intelligence gathering by officers of the Jikwoyi Police Division.
The case began on July 18 when a man identified as Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported that his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, had gone missing after leaving home to sit for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu. A few hours later, he received a call from unknown individuals demanding N5 million for her release.
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“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation,” Adeh said.
“Through coordinated intelligence gathering and digital tracking, the phone number used to contact the complainant was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II.”
Police operatives promptly stormed the address and found Lead Way Innocent in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, who is legally married to Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.
According to the police, the two were found chatting and eating, showing no signs of distress, which raised suspicion about the authenticity of the abduction.
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Further investigation led to the arrest of Lead Way’s elder sister, Joy Innocent, and her boyfriend, Mayowa Adedeji. It was discovered that Joy conspired with Adedeji—who is married to Tina—to stage her younger sister’s disappearance in order to extort their father.
Shockingly, the police confirmed that Lead Way was not a victim but a willing accomplice in the fake abduction.
“She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy remained at home and pretended to be unaware, watching her parents’ anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise the ransom money,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, condemned the act, describing it as “a betrayal and manipulation, particularly one perpetrated within the family.”
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He urged parents to be more observant of their children’s emotional well-being and to foster open and honest communication within the home.
“All four suspects are currently in police custody and have voluntarily confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the police said.
The FCT Command also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.