The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a 29-year old man, Bello Azeez, for allegedly faking his own kidnap in a desperate bid to extort money from his parents and friends.
Azeez, a native of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area of the state, was said to have earlier requested N500,000 from his father to offset a debt.
However, when his plea was turned down, he allegedly devised a plan to stage his abduction.
According to police sources, on August 11, 2025, the suspect told his family he was travelling to Ibadan.
Shortly after, he reportedly placed distress calls to his parents and friends, claiming he had been kidnapped. Believing his account, his relatives quickly rallied round and raised N500,000 through individual contributions and a GoFundMe appeal.
In a twist, Azeez allegedly instructed that the supposed ransom be paid directly into his personal bank account, a move that raised suspicion among his family members.
Alarmed, they contacted the police, who tracked his mobile phone and discovered that he never left Owo throughout the period of the supposed abduction.
The suspect was eventually arrested and during interrogation, he was said to have confessed to orchestrating the plot.
Police authorities confirmed that Azeez would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Describing the act as a product of greed and deceit, the Ondo State Police Command cautioned young people against indulging in criminal activities in the quest for quick wealth. It further urged parents to properly guide their children and guard against negative peer influence.
