The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Bello Azeez, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in a desperate attempt to extort money from his family and friends. The incident, which unfolded in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area, was orchestrated after Azeez’s father refused to lend him N500,000 to repay a debt.
According to the police spokesperson, Olushola Ayanlade, Azeez initially told his family he was traveling to Ibadan before making distress calls claiming he had been abducted. His family, alarmed by the situation, launched a GoFundMe campaign along with personal contributions to raise the demanded ransom of N500,000.
Suspicion grew when Azeez instructed that the ransom money be paid directly into his personal bank account – an unusual request for a kidnapping victim. This prompted his family to alert the police, who quickly traced his phone and discovered he had remained in Owo throughout the alleged abduction.
Upon arrest, Azeez confessed to fabricating the kidnapping story to extort money from his family. The case is currently under investigation, and he will be charged to court upon its conclusion.
The police have seized this opportunity to warn against greed and deceit, urging parents and guardians to guide their children away from crime, peer pressure, and moral decay. They also called on the public to reject all forms of deception and continue supporting law enforcement efforts to promote peace, security, and societal progress.
This incident highlights the dangers of desperation leading to criminal behavior and reinforces the importance of vigilance and strong family support systems.
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