Police Arrest Anambra Lady and Lover for Faking Own Abduction

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly staging a fake kidnap and extorting millions of naira from the victim’s family.

The suspects, identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye (23) and her boyfriend Chibuike Ogbu (24), were arrested after intelligence-led investigations revealed that the supposed kidnap was orchestrated by the duo.

Police operatives also recovered ₦1.2 million, part of the ransom earlier paid by Nwoye’s family.

How the Fake Kidnap Was Planned

According to the Command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects initially demanded ₦15 million ransom from the family. After negotiations, ₦3 million was eventually transferred into the victim’s own bank account.

Ikenga confirmed that the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

Commissioner of Police Reacts

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed concern over what he described as the rising moral decadence among youths.

He said:

“This incident reflects the increasing resort to criminality by young people for selfish gains. Parents, guardians, and religious leaders must intensify efforts to inculcate discipline, integrity, and sound values in their children and wards.”

The CP further warned young Nigerians against engaging in such self-destructive criminal ventures, stressing that the law will always catch up with offenders, no matter how cleverly disguised their schemes may be.

Rising Cases of Staged Abductions

This arrest adds to the growing number of fake kidnappings in Nigeria, a trend security experts have linked to economic hardship and moral decline. The Anambra State Police Command has urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.