Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force (IRT-NPF) have rescued a 38-year-old Ivorian, Kacou Alleby, in Ogun State, after he was reported kidnapped, only to later discover that the incident was staged.

It was learnt from a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday, that the operation followed a distress request received from the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja on behalf of authorities in Côte d’Ivoire.

Alleby was said to have been reported kidnapped on September 12, 2025, with his family contacted through torture videos and voice notes demanding a ransom.

Hundeyin added that the operatives later tracked the suspects to Matogun, Ogun State, where a 28-year-old female, also an Ivorian, identified as Angela Arisa, was arrested.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force, through the Intelligence Response Team, has successfully rescued one Kacou Alleby, male, aged 38, an Ivorian national, following a distress request received from the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, on behalf of authorities in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The victim was reportedly kidnapped and held hostage on 12th September, 2025.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, immediately issued directives to the IRT operatives, who then promptly launched a coordinated operation to rescue the foreign national. After intelligence gathering, the location of the suspects was found in the Matogun area of Ogun State. In the swift operation, one Angela Arisa, female, aged 28, also an Ivorian national, was arrested.”

Hundeyin stated that the suspect later led detectives to a hideout at an estate in the Olambe area of the state, where Alleby was rescued unhurt.

According to the police image maker, investigations revealed that the victim and the female suspect had conspired to stage the kidnapping in order to extort money from his family in Abidjan.

He further disclosed that they jointly produced the fake torture videos to mount pressure on his relatives, adding that efforts were ongoing to track down other accomplices linked to the crime.

“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns such criminal conduct and reiterates that self-kidnap is a serious crime under Nigerian law. IGP Egbetokun warns that criminal elements will face the full weight of the law, as such acts not only undermine security but also attempt to tarnish the image of the country,” the statement added.

Cases of self-kidnap have been on the rise in parts of Nigeria, recently, with security experts warning that the trend not only wastes police resources but also erodes public trust when genuine abduction cases occur. (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)