Ondo Police Command has uncovered a self-kidnap scheme after a 22-year-old truck driver staged his own abduction to extort ₦1.5m from his family. Three suspects have confessed and will face prosecution
Ondo Police Bust Fake Kidnap Plot as 22-Year-Old Stages Own Abduction for ₦1.5m Ransom
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a shocking case of self-kidnapping after a 22-year-old truck driver allegedly staged his own abduction to extort money from his family.
The arrests were confirmed on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, with Ref. No. AZ:5280/ONS/PPRO/VOL.1/346.
The statement, titled “ARREST OF SELF-KIDNAP SUSPECTS,” announced that the Command had apprehended individuals involved in the elaborate scheme, reaffirming its “unwavering commitment to uncovering criminal schemes, no matter how carefully concealed.”
According to police findings, the case began when a concerned citizen reported to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad that suspected kidnappers had abducted Tobi Oluwatuyi, a 22-year-old truck driver, from the Ilu Abo area of Akure.
Detectives immediately launched an investigation, but as inquiries progressed, the narrative took a startling turn. Preliminary findings revealed that Tobi had faked his own abduction, conspiring with 20-year-old Jubril Abu and 21-year-old Segun Oluwatuyi to demand a ransom of ₦1,500,000, which his unsuspecting family paid, believing he was in real danger.
Further investigations confirmed that the incident was a calculated attempt to fraudulently obtain money. All three suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his “consistent support, strategic guidance, and unwavering commitment to enhancing policing capabilities nationwide,” noting that effective leadership continues to empower Commands to detect, prevent, and respond decisively to criminal activities.
CP Lawal urged residents to promptly report incidents of this nature to the Police and to avoid yielding to ransom demands in kidnap cases, stressing that paying ransom “inadvertently encourages criminal enterprises and undermines ongoing security efforts.”
He further warned against the growing trend of self-orchestrated kidnappings, saying such deceptive acts are serious criminal offences that diligent investigations will always expose. Individuals involved, he said, will face the full weight of the law.
The Command reassured residents that Ondo State will not serve as a haven for criminals, affirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property. It called for continued public cooperation to strengthen collective security. Read More
