Suspect, accomplice arrested in Delta for faking kidnap

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a suspected self-kidnapper and her accomplice after collecting N3m ransom in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Monday in Asaba, the state capital.

Edafe said the command had continued to record operational milestones in its relentless war against crime and criminality in the state, with the operatives successfully arresting a suspected fake kidnapper and her accomplices.

“On July 21, 2025, the Delta State Police Command received a report of a kidnapping incident involving a female victim who was abducted by unknown armed men in the Ajaji (Bonsaac) Layout of Asaba.

Acting promptly on the report, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Commander, Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, Godwin Osadolor, to ensure that the victim was rescued unhurt.

“The command led operatives and launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation. Through diligent investigative efforts and strategic deployment, the operatives apprehended one Alfred Elisha at the Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu Adim, off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22, 2025.

“Upon arrest of the suspects, he 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, Merit Eleh, 29 years old.

She confessed that the money loaned to her by her brother of about N3.6m she used it to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding, which took place in March 2025.”

According to Edafe, the suspect stated that she “faked her kidnap and received a ransom of N3m and gave her accomplices N500,000, and she took N2.5m for herself.”

He said all the suspects involved in the fake kidnapping had been arrested while an investigation was ongoing.