The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four suspects, including two sisters, for orchestrating a fake kidnapping to extort ₦5 million from their elderly father.
The arrests were announced by SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, on Tuesday.
On July 30, 2025, Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported to the Jikwoyi Police Division that his 16-year-old daughter, LeadWay Innocent, had not returned home since leaving for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, on July 18.
He later received a ransom demand from unknown callers. The Jikwoyi Divisional Police Officer launched a discreet investigation, using intelligence and digital tracking to trace the callers’ phone number to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II.
Police operatives found LeadWay Innocent at the location, freely conversing and eating with Mrs.
Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji, showing no signs of distress. Further investigation led to the arrest of LeadWay’s elder sister, Joy Innocent, and her boyfriend, Mayowa Adedeji.
The probe revealed that Joy and Adedeji, who is married to Tina Mayowa, conspired to stage LeadWay’s kidnapping to defraud their father of ₦5 million.
The four suspects are in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover additional details.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating crime and urged residents to report suspicious activities promptly.
