Olayiwola Matthew
Operatives of the Nigeria Police in Delta State have arrested a housewife who faked her own kidnap in Asaba after the husband had paid N3 million ransom.
The 29-year-old suspect, it was learnt, got a loan of N3 million meant to purchase a tricycle but diverted it to fund her wedding ceremony held in March 2025.
She told the police during interrogation that the money was loaned to her by her brother.
However, she said the only way she could get the money back was to feign the kidnap and thus planned with a security guard in her former place of work.
“I was just thinking of a way to raise the money, so I said I could plan to be abducted, ” she told police operatives.
Speaking, Delta Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said: “On July 20, the woman told her husband that she was coming and the next thing he heard was that she had been kidnapped.
“The ransom of N3 million was paid, but the husband did not give up. He followed up with the case, which he had already reported to the state’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad.
“The police then intensified the investigation, and one of the suspects eventually let the cat out of the bag.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Commander of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, CSP Godwin Osadolor, to ensure that the victim is rescued unhurt.
“Acting on this directive, the commander led operatives and launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation.
“Through diligent investigative efforts and strategic deployment, the operatives apprehended one Alfred (surname withheld) at Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu (surname withheld) off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22, at about 9:00a.m.
“Upon arrest of the suspects, one of them confessed that it was not a case of an actual kidnapping but a plot between the victim and himself.
“His revelation led to the arrest of the other suspect, the woman, named Merit (29).
“She confessed that the money loaned to her by her brother, N3.6 million, was used to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel expenses for her wedding, which took place in March.
“She further stated that she faked her kidnap and received a ransom of N3,000,000 and gave her accomplices N500,000), and she took N2,5000,000 for herself.
“All suspects involved have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.”