The Force Criminal Investigation Department (F-CID) has arrested a middle-aged man from Benue State, Andrew Paul Audu, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in an attempt to gain political sympathy and stir public tension.

According to police reports, Audu was declared missing on March 8, 2025, around 6:00 a.m., after claiming to have been abducted by political opponents. Messages circulated on social media alleged that his disappearance was part of a plot to silence him ahead of local political events, sparking panic among supporters and prompting an extensive search operation.

However, following weeks of investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, operatives arrested Audu on October 31, 2025, at Abacha Road, Abuja, where he was found relaxing with friends, eating grilled fish and drinking beer — far from any danger.

Police sources said intelligence gathered during the probe revealed that the suspect had deliberately staged the incident to embarrass rivals and win public sympathy. There are also indications that he planned to demand ransom from supporters under false pretenses.

Investigators further discovered that Audu operated a Facebook account under the alias “Mallam Sheik Audu,” where he posed as a Muslim cleric. Despite his religious claims, he frequently used the platform to post divisive content, including hate speech, personal attacks, and fake news targeting political and religious figures.

A police source described his actions as “a calculated attempt to manipulate public sentiment for personal and political gain.”

The suspect is currently in F-CID custody in Abuja and will be charged with kidnapping and abduction, both of which are non-bailable offences. The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine if other individuals were involved in the hoax.