The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe for allegedly faking his own kidnapping and demanding over $700,000 in ransom from his father. The suspect was apprehended alongside five of his schoolmates.
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest on Saturday via X.
The case drew public attention after a friend of one of the suspects took to social media to allege wrongful detention. Using the handle @FlackoT, the friend wrote, “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 a 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.”
He added, “His dad came to the station and requested his release but they (police) insisted on charging 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.”
Reacting to these posts, Hundeyin said, “Following a report from his family, our investigation established that 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe faked his own kidnap.”
The police spokesman explained that Collins’ father received several calls from his son’s number, but with different voices giving instructions on the ransom amount and payment methods. Over two weeks, different sums were demanded, including $500,000, $200,000, N2,000,000, N50,000, and N30,000.
“On Thursday, June 20, 2024, detectives from the Lagos State Police Command busted a short-let four-bedroom apartment in Lekki where Collins and five of his schoolmates (one male, four females) had been staying for the past ten days,” Hundeyin stated.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of culpability of the other five occupants of the apartment. “For now, none of the suspects has been exonerated,” Hundeyin added.
