29-Year-Old Ondo Man, Bello Azeez, Fakes Own Kidnap to Dupe Family of ₦500,000
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Bello Azeez, for allegedly faking his own kidnap in order to extort money from his family and friends.
Azeez, a native of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area, reportedly staged the false abduction after his father refused to grant him a loan to settle debts.
How He Faked the Kidnap
According to police investigations, Azeez had claimed he was travelling to Ibadan on August 11, 2025, but never left Owo. Instead, he began making frantic distress calls to relatives, alleging that kidnappers had abducted him and demanding a ₦500,000 ransom for his release.
Shocked by the calls, his family and community members quickly raised funds and even created a GoFundMe account, before transferring the ransom directly into Azeez’s personal bank account. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
However, suspicions grew when the supposed abductors insisted that the ransom be paid into the victim’s own account—an unusual practice in real kidnap cases. Alarmed, the family alerted security operatives.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Following an intelligence-led operation, detectives traced the phone number used for the ransom negotiations and discovered that Azeez never left Owo town. He was arrested shortly after and confessed to masterminding the entire scam.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect would be arraigned in court once investigations are completed.
Police Statement
In an official statement, the Command condemned Azeez’s actions, warning against the dangers of greed and the lure of quick money.
“This incident highlights how greed and the lure of easy money can push individuals into destructive decisions. We urge parents to monitor their children closely and guard them against crime and peer influence,” the police said.
The Command, under the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal, further reassured residents of its commitment to intelligence-driven policing and the protection of lives and property in Ondo State.