Man Arrested in Akure for Staging Own Kidnapping

​AKURE – The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a 33-year-old man, Olawale Sikiru, for allegedly orchestrating his own abduction in a desperate bid to extort money from his family.

​The arrest follows a swift intelligence-led operation triggered by a formal complaint from the suspect’s mother, Mrs. Iyabo, a resident of Oda Road, Akure. On July 5, 2026, she reported to the police that her son, who resides on St. Luke Street, had been abducted by unknown assailants while en route to Igbara-Oke for professional engagements.

​Following the report, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a comprehensive investigation. By utilizing advanced forensic analysis and tracking the telephone lines used by the perpetrators to demand a ₦1,000,000 ransom, detectives successfully traced the plot back to the “victim.”

​On July 7, 2026, police operatives apprehended Sikiru, revealing that he had fabricated the entire kidnapping scenario. Investigations further unveiled that the suspect had already pocketed ₦50,000 extracted from his family as an initial installment of the ransom. An accomplice, 23-year-old Agbelusi Ayomide, was also taken into custody for conspiring with Sikiru and providing him with refuge at his residence throughout the duration of the staged incident.

​The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, praised the diligence of the investigative team while issuing a stern warning to the public. He emphasized that such criminal activities place an unnecessary strain on security resources and cause significant emotional distress to families.

​”We remain committed to using intelligence-led policing to combat all forms of criminality across Ondo State,” the Command stated. “Those who engage in or aid such fraudulent conspiracies will face the full weight of the law.”

​The suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, which includes efforts to identify and apprehend any other members of the syndicate involved.

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​Residents are encouraged to continue sharing timely and credible information with the authorities. For inquiries, the Command can be reached via 08059998351, or through their official social media handles: @OndoPoliceNg on X, Ondo Police Command on Facebook, and @Ondopolicecommand on Instagram.

​Ondo Police update

​This video provides additional context regarding the security situation and the ongoing efforts of the police in Ondo State to address kidnapping incidents.