Man Sells Property to Pay Ransom for Brother Who Staged Own Kidnap in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old vulcanizer, Idris Isiaka, for allegedly staging his own abduction and extorting ransom money from his family in Emaudo, Ekpoma, Edo State.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, revealing that the suspect orchestrated the fake kidnapping and demanded a ransom of ₦12 million from his relatives. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to the police, Isiaka deliberately arranged for news of his alleged kidnap to be circulated on social media through a blogger, creating panic and prompting his family in Kogi State to raise funds for his release.
In a tragic twist, the suspect’s brother reportedly sold his property to pay part of the ransom before the truth behind the staged abduction was uncovered.
Investigations revealed that Isiaka shared the ransom proceeds with two accomplices identified as Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, who are currently at large.
ASP Ikoedem noted that the incident mirrors a recent case in Ekpoma involving another suspect, Obehi Odine, who was arrested for staging her own kidnapping and demanding ₦10 million ransom.
“A similar incident has been recorded in Emaudo, Ekpoma, where one Idris Isiaka, a 34-year-old vulcanizer of Balogun Street, deliberately staged his own kidnap along with two others on Saturday, January 10, 2026,” the statement read.
The police further stated that the suspect contacted his family and threatened that he would be killed if the ransom was not paid, thereby intensifying the pressure that led to the sale of property by his brother.
Isiaka has since confessed to the crime and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Edo State Police Command expressed concern over the rising trend of self-kidnapping and false ransom demands, particularly within Ekpoma and its environs, noting that such acts cause unnecessary panic and divert critical security resources.
The command commended the youths of Ekpoma for their timely intelligence and cooperation, which played a crucial role in the arrest, urging other communities to emulate the gesture by supporting lawful security efforts.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, issued a strong warning to individuals involved in or contemplating staged kidnappings and ransom-related fraud, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.