NIGER POLICE ARREST NINE OVER STAGED SELF-KIDNAP, N7M RANSOM FRAUD
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested nine suspects in connection with a staged self-kidnap and a fraudulent demand for a N7 million ransom.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the suspects were also involved in a Ponzi scheme.
According to the police, the case began on September 2, 2025, when a report was lodged at Tudun-Wada Division, Minna, alleging the kidnapping of a resident in the Mandela area. Shortly after, a ransom demand of N7 million was made via an unknown phone number.
“During investigation on September 3, operatives arrested one Suleiman Dauda in connection with the case. His interrogation led to the arrest of eight others in the Mandela area,” Abiodun said.
A search of Suleiman’s residence led to the recovery of 21 SIM cards and 29 SIM card registration certificates. He confessed to supplying the phone number and handset used to demand ransom, and further admitted to running a SIM registration business.
Investigations revealed that the supposed victim colluded with members of the syndicate to stage the abduction as part of a wider extortion scheme targeting their acquaintances and colleagues.
The suspects, who hail from different parts of Niger and neighbouring states, were also discovered to be running a fraudulent Ponzi operation. Police said they have been charged to court, while efforts are ongoing to track additional accomplices.
Self-kidnap scams have become increasingly common in Nigeria, often used as a cover to extract money from relatives or associates.
In a related case in Ondo State in August, police arrested a 42-year-old woman and her husband after they faked her abduction and demanded N10 million from relatives abroad to settle debts.
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