FCT Police arrest sisters, accomplices for staging fake kidnap

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals, including two sisters, for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in a bid to extort ₦5 million from their father.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Tuesday.

According to Adeh, the case was reported by one Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, who informed the police that his 16-year-old daughter, Miss LeadWay Innocent, went missing after leaving for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, on July 18, 2025.

He later received a ransom call from unknown persons demanding ₦5 million for her release.

The Jikwoyi Police Division promptly launched an investigation, utilizing digital tracking to trace the phone number used in the ransom call to a residence within the same area.

Upon reaching the location, officers found LeadWay Innocent in the company of Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of one of the suspects, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.

The two were reportedly relaxed and showed no signs of distress, confirming suspicions of foul play.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Joy Innocent, the elder sister of the supposed victim, and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.

It was discovered that the duo had conspired to fake LeadWay’s kidnapping. Shockingly, LeadWay was also found to be an active participant in the plot.

The plan, according to the police, was to emotionally manipulate their father into paying a fabricated ransom.

While LeadWay stayed with the suspects, Joy remained at home, pretending to be unaware of her sister’s whereabouts and watching her parents struggle to raise the ransom.

“All four suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime and are currently in custody,” the statement read.

“They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, condemned the act, calling it a disturbing display of betrayal and manipulation within a family setting.

He urged parents to closely monitor their children’s emotional health and behaviors and emphasized that any criminal exploitation of family ties would be met with full legal consequences.

The public was also urged to report any suspicious activity to the police through emergency lines 0803 200 3913 or 0806 158 1938.