The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Olawale Sikiru, a 33-year-old man, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping and demanding N1 million ransom from his family in Akure, the state capital.
A statement on Saturday by Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s spokesperson, said the suspect’s mother, Iyabo, reported that her son was kidnapped while travelling to Igbara-Oke by unknown persons.
“On 5th July, 2026, one Mrs Iyabo of Oda Road, Akure, reported to the police that her 33-year-old son, Olawale Sikiru, of St. Luke Street, Akure, had allegedly been kidnapped while travelling to Igbara-Oke for work by unknown persons,” he said.
Mr Jimoh said the police immediately launched a coordinated investigation, deploying intelligence assets and conducting forensic analysis of the telephone number used to demand a ₦1 million ransom from the family.
According to him, detectives arrested Mr Sikiru on July 7, 2026, and discovered that he had allegedly orchestrated his own kidnapping.
The police spokesperson said investigations revealed that Mr Sikiru staged the abduction and obtained ₦50,000 from his family as part payment of the ransom.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Ayomide Agbelusi, a 23-year-old alleged accomplice, who was said to have conspired with Mr Sikiru and harboured him in his residence while the fake kidnapping plot was being carried out.
Mr Jimoh added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate believed to have participated in the crime, while the two suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.