“Why I Arranged My Own Kidnapping” –  Housewife

By Adesina Soyooye

In a bizarre incident, a Delta State housewife arranged her own Kidnapping.  She arranged to be abducted in connivance with a security guard at her former place of work.

The woman, simply identified as Merit, arranged to be kidnapped so as to fleece her newly wedded husband of the sum of N3 million (Three Million Naira only).

According to the incident which confounds, Merit pretended she was just going to buy a few things. But the next news her husband received was the shocking news of her abduction. To secure her release, her husband was asked to cough out the sum of N3 million or lose his wife.

So, he rallied round and paid, only for the Police to find out it was a scam.

What pushed the 29-year old woman?

According to what she told the Police, she was in debt to the tune of N3.6 million which she borrowed to fund her wedding shower and hotel expenses. She allegedly borrowed the money, which was meant to buy a tricycle, but used it for her wedding in March 2025.

Stuck on how to repay, she planned her own kidnapping so as to get the money from her husband. “I was just thinking of how to raise the money so I said I could plan to be abducted”, she shamelessly said.

The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the story told the Media:

“On July 20, the woman told her husband that she was coming, and the next thing he heard was that she has 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 Cybercrime Squad, CSP Godwin Osadolor, to ensure that the ‘victim’ is rescued unhurt.

“Acting on the directive, the Commander led Operatives and launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation.

Through diligent investigative efforts and strategic deployment, the Operatives apprehended one Alfred at Koks Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu, off DLA Road, Asaba on July 22, at about 9.00am.

“His revelation led to the arrest of the other suspect, the woman, named Merit, 29 years.

“She confessed that the money, loaned to her by her brother, N3.6million, 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 took N2, 500,000 for herself.”

Edafe said all suspects have been arrested and are in custody.