{
  "id": 16388606,
  "title": "How AI-generated photo cost kidnap victim N4m ransom – Freed Benue graduate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/how-ai-generated-photo-cost-kidnap-victim-n4m-ransom-freed-benue-16388606",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-24T23:30:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/how-ai-generated-photo-cost-kidnap-victim-n4m-ransom-freed-benue-graduate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ibi Phillip, a graduate of Benue State University, shares his harrowing experience of being kidnapped in Edo State in September 2026. He was abducted alongside 11 other travellers on board a bus operated by Benue Links Nigeria Limited, heading to the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Akure, Ondo State. The kidnappers, armed men in army camouflage uniforms, stopped the bus and ordered the passengers to lie on the ground. They collected Phillip's phone and belongings before leading the group into the forest.\n\nFor nine days, the captors subjected Phillip and the other victims to brutal torture and inhumane treatment. They starved the victims, forcing them to sleep on hard rocks and in the rain. Phillip was beaten mercilessly the first night, demanding money, and had his phone calls cut off. Food was scarce, with only rice and beans provided after a day without sustenance. The captors demanded a ransom of N15 million, but Phillip's father could only raise N1.7 million. The rest of the family contributed varying amounts, totaling N4 million paid by one man who had used AI to impersonate a doctor. Despite the ransom being paid, Phillip was eventually freed.",
  "summary": "A freed Benue State University graduate recounts how he was kidnapped in Edo State and how an AI-generated photo cost another victim a N4m ransom. Read More: https://punchng.com/how-ai-generated-photo-cost-kidnap-victim-n4m-ransom-freed-benue-graduate/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}