Edo man arrested for staging own kidnap to extort N12m from his family

Thursday, January 15, 2026 - The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old vulcanizer, Idris Isiaka, for staging his own kidnap in Emaudo, Ekpoma and collecting ransom from his family. 

The spokesperson of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, said Isiaka engineered the circulation of his kidnap on social media through a blogger and demanded a ransom of N12m from his family.

According to the PPRO, Isiaka's brother sold his property and paid part of the ransom money.

Isiaka shared the ransom money with his accomplices, Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, who are currently at large. 

“It will be recalled that one Obehi Odine was apprehended a few days ago at Ekpoma Division for staging her own kidnap and demanding for ransom of Ten Million Naira (10,000,000). A similar incident has been recorded in Emaudo, Ekpoma where one Idris Isiaka ‘m’, a 34-year-old vulcanizer of Balogun Street, Emaudo Community, Ekpoma deliberately staged his own kidnap along with two others on Saturday 10/01/2026,” the statement read.

"He immediately engineered the circulation of his kidnap on social media through a blogger and demanded a ransom of Twelve Million Naira (N12,000,000). 

"His family in Kogi State was further contacted, threatening that he will be k!lled if the ransom was not paid. His brother however, sold his property and paid part of the ransom money which was shared with his accomplices, one Mohammed Saliu ‘m’ and Godwin Mohammed ‘m’, both of whom are currently at large. 

“The suspect has confessed to the crime. He will be arraigned in court after investigation.

"The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of this growing trend of individuals staging their own kidnapping and making false ransom demands, particularly within Ekpoma and its environs. 

"In response, the Command has intensified intelligence-led investigations and enforcement actions to curb this disturbing development.

"The Edo State Police Command commends the concerned youths of Ekpoma, whose timely intelligence and cooperation significantly contributed to the arrest. 

"Their action should be emulated as it underscores the importance of community safety partnership in effective policing. The Command therefore urges youths and community members to continually key into this initiative by channeling their youthful energy and strength towards supporting lawful security efforts, timely information sharing, and the promotion of peace and safety within their communities.

"The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, strongly warns individuals engaging or contemplating self-kidnapping, false abduction claims, or ransom-related frauds to desist from such acts as they do not only constitute serious criminal offences, but also create unnecessary panic and divert critical scarce security resources from genuine complaints. 

“The Edo State Police Command is committed to stamping out this ugly trend. Anyone who engages in such callous acts will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”