The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 29-year-old Bello Azeez for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in a bid to extort N500,000 from his family and friends.
DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the Command’s spokesperson, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that Azeez, a native of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area, devised the scheme after his father refused to lend him N500,000 to settle a debt.
“When his request was denied, he staged his abduction. On August 11, he claimed he was travelling to Ibadan and began making distress calls to his parents and friends, alleging he had been kidnapped,” Ayanlade explained.
The suspect instructed that the ransom be paid directly into his personal bank account, with funds raised through family contributions and a GoFundMe appeal. The unusual request raised suspicion, prompting relatives to alert the police.
Investigators later traced his phone and confirmed he had remained in Owo throughout the supposed abduction. He was subsequently arrested and confessed to the crime. Police said he will face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
“This case highlights the dangers of greed and deceit, which can destroy lives,” Ayanlade warned. He urged parents and guardians to guide their children against crime, negative peer influence, and moral decline, while calling on the public to reject deception and support law enforcement in promoting peace, security, and progress.
ADEOLA KUNLE
