The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three ladies and one man for faking the kidnap of one Agnes Ogbeh and demanding N5 million ransom.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this in a Friday, March 22, statement.
Hundeyin said police detectives arrested the three ladies – Margret Itodo, 25; Agnes Ogbeh, 23; Esther Anyanwu, 24 – and the man, 24-year-old Anthony Chinakwe for faking Agnes Ogbeh’s kidnap.
“On March 19, 2024, Agnes Ogbeh, resident in 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,” the police spokesman disclosed.
Hundeyin added that further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real.
He said that all four have made confessional statements and are to be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, commended the detectives for a timely investigation, while calling on Lagosians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.