The Edo State Police Command says it has uncovered an alleged self-kidnapping scheme and arrested four suspects accused of conspiring to obtain ₦50 million in ransom from family members through a fabricated abduction.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, the suspects allegedly staged the kidnapping of Mrs Oluchi Ugbowan and circulated videos depicting her in captivity to convince relatives to pay the ransom.
The police said the case was reported on June 1 by Mr Tony Ugbowan of Agbor Road, Benin City, who informed authorities that his wife, Oluchi Ugbowan, had been kidnapped on her way to her shop at Ramat Park.
He told investigators that he had received a call from a concealed telephone number on May 28 demanding ₦50 million for her release.
The command said operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched an investigation, deploying intelligence and technical resources to trace those behind the alleged abduction.
Police said the investigation led to the arrest of Israel Ability, 28, at Ramat Park, Benin City, where officers recovered the mobile phone belonging to the purported victim.
According to the statement, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he had been hired by Oluchi Ugbowan to negotiate ransom demands with her family while presenting her as a kidnap victim.
The police said further investigations led officers to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State on June 5, where Oluchi Ugbowan was arrested.
“During interrogation, she confessed to staging her own kidnapping and thereafter led investigators to the residence of an accomplice in Delta State, one Ochukwudem Uwadia, male, aged 38 years,” the statement said.
Investigators said the residence was allegedly used to produce videos showing the victim with her hands and feet tied, which were then sent to family members as evidence that she had been abducted.
The police said further findings revealed that Uwadia’s son, Chibuzor Ochukwudem, 18, was the person seen in the videos pointing a firearm at Oluchi Ugbowan’s head.
“The suspect further disclosed that Uwadia’s son, Chibuzor Ochukwudem, male, aged 18 years, was the individual seen in the videos pointing a firearm at her head in order to further lend credibility to the false kidnapping narrative,” the statement added.
The command said all suspects connected to the alleged conspiracy had been arrested.
It also disclosed that a search of the premises led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the recording of the ransom videos.
Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended officers involved in the operation.
He praised the operatives for their “painstaking investigation and professionalism in the timely unraveling of the elaborate deception.”
The police commissioner warned that the command treats every kidnapping report as a serious matter and would continue to deploy resources to rescue victims and apprehend offenders.
He also cautioned members of the public against staging kidnapping incidents, saying such acts divert security resources from genuine cases and constitute serious criminal offences.
The Edo State Police Command advised residents to promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities and avoid actions capable of creating fear or panic within communities.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
