Four arrested for staging kidnapping in Abuja

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four individuals, including two sisters, for allegedly staging a kidnapping to extort a N5 million ransom from their elderly father.

The scheme was uncovered after a report was filed on July 30, by a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, Innocent.

He told police that his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, had disappeared after leaving for an exam at Government Secondary School, Karu, on July 18.

Shortly after, he began receiving ransom demands from unknown callers.

According to a statement by the FCT Police Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the supposed victim was part of the plan and found eating and chatting freely with the wife of the mastermind.

The statement states, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals in connection with a staged kidnapping designed to extort the sum of five million naira (₦5,000,000) from an elderly man by his two daughters and their accomplices.

“On 30th July 2025, at about 11:30 AM, one Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported to the Jikwoyi Police Division that his 16-year-old daughter, Miss Lead Way Innocent, left home on 18th July 2025 to sit for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, and had not returned. He subsequently received a phone call from unknown persons demanding a ransom for her release.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation. Through coordinated intelligence gathering and digital tracking, the phone number used to contact the complainant was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II. Operatives proceeded to the location, where they found Miss Lead Way Innocent in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Both individuals were seen eating and conversing freely, indicating no signs of distress.

“Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Miss Joy Innocent (the elder sister of the alleged victim) and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Findings revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend, who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa, to stage the kidnapping of her younger sister, Lead Way Innocent, in a calculated attempt to defraud their father of ₦5 million.

“It was further uncovered that Lead Way Innocent was not only aware of the plan but was an active participant. She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy remained at home and feigned ignorance, watching her parents’ anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise money for the supposed ransom.

“All four suspects are currently in police custody and have voluntarily confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”