Five arrested after man faked his own kidnap to demand $700K and N2.08m from his dad

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly faking how own kidnapping to demand ransom from his father.

His four accomplices have also been arrested for their part in the scheme.

Collins Oluchukwu Chekwube is accused of demanding $700,000 and N2.08m in total from his father after faking a self-kidnap.

Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on X after one of the suspects took to X to cry out for justice.

The X user claimed he is detained but he’s innocent.

Tweeting with the handle @FlackoT, he wrote: “guys i’m locked up in ikeja police station i don’t have enough time and idk what to do so this is my only alternative so y’all know what happened to me…

“Someone faked his kidnapping and requested for ransom from his dad. his dad reported the case to sars they tracked his phone.

“I genuinely knew nothing about it until i reached the station, his dad came to the station and requested his release but they insist on trying the case to court which could take up to three years to resolve.. other people that were in the apartment with him are locked up as well.

“Now the police is requesting for 1.5m bail from each of us and we don’t have money like that. but why such a huge sum if i’ve done nothing wrong… i don’t normally do stuff like this but i’ve seen the internet work wonders for people so i’m calling on good hearted nigerians to please come to our aid i’m locked up with four other innocent people please don’t let our lives go to waste.”

Responding, Hundeyin wrote: “Following a report from his family, our investigation established that 20-year old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe faked his own kidnap. His dad received several calls from Collins’ number but with different voices giving instructions on what amount of money to be paid and methods of payment.

“At different times spanning two weeks, different sums – $500,000; $200,000; N2,000,000; N50,000 and N30,000 – were requested from Collins’ dad.

“On Thursday, June 20, 2024, detectives of the Lagos State Police Command eventually busted a short-let four bedroom apartment in Lekki where Collins and five of his school mates (one male, four females) had been staying for the past ten days.

“Investigation is being concluded to establish the extent of culpability of the other five occupants of the apartment. For now, none of the suspects has been exonerated.”