Edo Police arrest 18-year-old for faking own kidnapping

The Edo State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly staging his own abduction to extort money from his family.

The state police spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, said the teenager was taken into custody after an investigation revealed inconsistencies in his reported kidnapping in Benin City. According to the police, the suspect had demanded a ransom from relatives, prompting authorities to verify the claim.

During questioning, the teenager admitted fabricating the abduction, saying he staged it to obtain money. CSP Yamu warned that such acts divert police resources and create unnecessary fear in the community.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, and charges are expected to be filed once the probe is complete. The command urged the public to rely on official sources before sharing information on criminal incidents.