The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended four people for purportedly staging an abduction in the state.
The suspects include three women: 25-year-old Margret Itodo, Agnes Ogbeh aged 23, and 24-year-old Esther Anyanwu, along with a 24-year-old man named Anthony Chinakwe.
SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday, March 22, 2024, the suspects were detained for allegedly orchestrating the abduction of Agnes.
Hundeyin elaborated that Agnes, hailing from Akure, the Ondo State capital, had reportedly traveled to Lagos on Tuesday, March 19, and was purportedly kidnapped within the city.
He said Agnes’ family in Akure received a video showing her and one other tied, gagged, and groaning with blood droplets around them.
The police spokesman said the fake kidnappers demanded the sum of N5 million for the release of Agnes.
Hundeyin noted upon receipt of the complaint, the detectives of the Lagos State Police Command commenced an investigation into the matter, adding that the hideout was located where Agnes, the other lady in the video, and two others were found living freely together.
He said: “further investigations revealed that Margaret Itodo is a professional make-up artist who was hired to make the video look real.
“All four have made confessional statements and are to be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation.”
Hundeyin quoted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, as commending the detectives for a timely investigation and calling on Lagosians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around them to the nearest security agency.