Ondo: Man fakes own kidnapping to extort N500,000 from family

Ondo map

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.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, revealed in a statement on Saturday that 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.

“When his request was turned down, he staged his abduction. On Aug. 11, he claimed he was travelling to Ibadan, then started making distress calls to his parents and friends, alleging he had been kidnapped,” Ayanlade said.

The suspect reportedly instructed that the N500,000 ransom raised through family contributions and a GoFundMe account be transferred directly into his personal bank account, a request that was initially complied with. Punch