Police arrest four for faking their kidnap and demanding N5m ransom

Detectives of the Lagos States Police Command have arrested Margret Itodo ‘f’ aged 25, Agnes Ogbeh ‘f’ aged 23, Esther Anyanwu ‘f’ aged 24 and Anthony Chinakwe ‘m’ aged 24 for faking the kidnap of Agnes Ogbeh.

A statement released by SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the command, said on March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, a resident of Akure, had travelled to Lagos and was reportedly kidnapped in Lagos. The family back in Akure received a video showing Agnes and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them. The ‘kidnappers’ demanded the sum of Five Million Naira for the release of Agnes.

‘’Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of the Command commenced a discreet and diligent investigation into the matter. The hideout was located where Agnes, the other lady in the video and two others were found living freely together.

Further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real. All four have made confessional statements and are to be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation.”

Hundeyin added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni while commending the detectives for a timely investigation, called on Lagosians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.