Man Arrested for Faking Kidnap, Demanding N25 Million Ransom

Ajah Ikechukwu, a native of Ngwogwo Community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, was arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for allegedly staging his own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of N25 million from his family. The incident began on August 10, 2026, when Ikechukwu went into hiding and contacted his family, falsely claiming he had been kidnapped.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, the family transferred N1 million into a bank account provided by Ikechukwu in response to his demands. Following diligent investigation and intelligence gathering, police operatives arrested Ikechukwu, who confessed during interrogation that he had orchestrated the kidnapping and ransom demand.

CP Okafor warned that such actions are serious criminal offenses that will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. The arrest is part of the Command's broader efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Ebonyi State.