Lagos Police Arrest Couple for Alleged Kidnapping and Blackmail of Online Vendor

 

A couple, identified as Emmanuel and Mmesoma Okafor, has been apprehended by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and extorting an online vendor who had gone to deliver a product in the Iyana Ishashi area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known during a press briefing on Monday, March 10, 2025. He revealed that the couple not only abducted the victim but also stripped her naked, assaulted her, and took nude photographs, which they later used to demand ransom.

A Routine Delivery Turns Into a Nightmare

According to the police, the ordeal began when the victim, an online vendor, received an order for a product and was requested to deliver it in Iyana Ishashi. Unaware of the trap set for her, she proceeded to the given address, expecting a routine transaction. However, the moment she arrived and the door was opened, she was forcibly pulled inside by a man and a woman.

The suspects, later identified as Emmanuel and Mmesoma Okafor, subjected her to physical abuse, forcibly stripped her of her clothing, and took explicit photographs of her. The couple then demanded a sum of ₦2 million, threatening to leak the pictures online if she failed to pay.

A Desperate Attempt to Buy Freedom

Fearing the consequences of their threats, the victim was forced to make an immediate payment of ₦300,000, after which she was released. However, the couple made it clear that the release of the compromising images depended on her paying the remaining balance of ₦1.7 million.

Determined not to be blackmailed any further, the traumatized victim took swift action and reported the matter to the police the next day, on Sunday, March 9.

Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest

Following the complaint, the Lagos State Police Command launched an investigation and tracked down the suspects. Emmanuel and Mmesoma Okafor were subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

CSP Hundeyin, while addressing journalists, confirmed that the suspects were under detention as investigations continued.

“The victim received a request for a product and proceeded to the customer’s house in Iyana Ishashi. Upon arrival, the door was opened, and she was forcibly dragged inside by a man and a woman,” Hundeyin explained.

“The suspects, identified as Emmanuel and Mmesoma Okafor, stripped her naked, beat her up, and took her nude pictures before demanding a ransom of ₦2 million. The victim managed to transfer ₦300,000 at that moment, after which she was allowed to leave. However, they continued to threaten her, demanding the remaining balance.”

Justice on the Way

The Lagos State Police Command reassured the public that justice would be served. They also warned residents, particularly online vendors, to be cautious when making deliveries, advising them to verify customer identities and opt for safe, public locations for transactions whenever possible.

This incident highlights the risks that online business owners face in carrying out their trade, particularly those who engage in door-to-door delivery services. The police have encouraged vendors to use extra layers of security, such as cashless payment systems and delivery through verified logistics services, to reduce their exposure to criminal schemes.

The suspects are expected to face charges related to kidnapping, assault, extortion, and cyber-related offenses once investigations are concluded.