The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 29-year-old Bello Azeez for allegedly faking his kidnapping to extort money from his family and acquaintances.
Olayinka Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, who revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Akure said the suspect, Azeez, a native of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area, hatched the scheme after his father refused to lend him N500,000 to repay a debt.
According to the statement, “when his request was turned down, he conceived the idea of faking his own abduction as a means of obtaining the money. To perfect his plan, on 11th August, 2025, he falsely claimed to be travelling to Ibadan, after which he began placing distress calls to his parents and friends, alleging that he had been kidnapped.
“In a bid to secure his release, his parents together with his friends mobilized resources and created a GoFundMe account, through which they successfully raised the sum of N500,000.
“The suspect then instructed that the Five Hundred Thousand Naira, which his supposed abductors allegedly demanded and which had been raised through family contributions and the GoFundMe account, be transferred directly into his personal bank account,a directive that was complied with by his unsuspecting relatives and associates who believed he was in genuine distress.
“Suspicion, however, began to mount when it became unusual that a supposed kidnapping victim would request that ransom be paid directly into his own bank account. This prompted his family to alert the Police. Upon receiving the report, operatives of the Command immediately tracked the phone number used by the suspect and discovered that he had been in Owo throughout the period of the alleged abduction. He was thereafter arrested, confessed to the crime, and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
“This case once again underscores the dangers of greed, deceit, and the lure of quick wealth, which often push individuals into acts capable of ruining their future.
“The Command therefore admonishes parents and guardians to properly guide and educate their children and wards against crime, peer influence, and moral decadence.
“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has consistently emphasized the vision of building a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law compliant, and people-friendly Police Force that Nigerians can trust and depend upon. In line with this, the mission of the Nigeria Police Force remains to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, uphold justice, and prevent crime through intelligence-led policing and strong partnership with communities.
“The Ondo State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal, aligns fully with the IGP’s mission and vision, and reassures the good people of Ondo State that criminality in any form will not be tolerated. The public is urged to shun all forms of deception and fraudulent practices and to continue supporting the Police in promoting peace, security, and collective progress in our society.”
