The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a 20-year-old student, Collins Ikwebe, and five of his schoolmates. The case came to light after a social media post by a friend of one of the suspects went viral.
According to the police, Ikwebe and his accomplices faked his abduction and demanded a ransom of over $700,000. The group was arrested after a thorough investigation, and they have since confessed to the crime.
PUNCH
The Lagos State Police Command said it has uncovered what appears to be a staged kidnapping involving a 20-year-old student, Collins Ikwebe, and five of his schoolmates.
The case came to light on Saturday after a distressing social media post by a friend of one of the suspects went viral.
According to the post, the friend, identified only as 888 @FlackoT on X, claimed, “Guys, I’m locked up in Ikeja Police Station. I don’t have enough time and I don’t know 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.”
The X user further expressed concern about potentially facing a lengthy legal process, stating, “His dad came to the station and requested his release but they insisted on taking the case to court which could take up to three years to resolve. Oher people that were in the apartment with him are locked up as well.”
Responding to these claims, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, provided police report and details of the case.
“Following a report from his family, our investigation established that 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe faked his own kidnap,” Hundeyin confirmed.