Police uncovered a staged kidnapping plot and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy aimed at extorting N50 million from family members through a fabricated abduction.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command disclosed that the case began on June 1, 2026, when one Tony Ugbowan of Agbor Road, Benin City, reported that his wife, Oluchi Ugbowan, had been kidnapped while on her way to her shop at Ramat Park.
He told police that he had received calls from an unknown number demanding a ransom of N50 million for her release.
According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched an intensive investigation, deploying intelligence and technical resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the reported abduction.
The investigation led to the arrest of one Israel Ability, 28, at Ramat Park, Benin City. Police recovered the victim’s mobile phone from him, and during interrogation, he allegedly confessed that he had been recruited by Oluchi Ugbowan to negotiate ransom demands with her family while posing as her kidnapper.
Further investigations led detectives to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where the supposed kidnap victim was arrested on June 5, 2026.
Police said she confessed to staging her own kidnapping and subsequently led investigators to the residence of one Ochukwudem Uwadia, 38, in Delta State.
The Command revealed that the residence was used to record videos showing the supposed victim with her hands and legs tied, which were later sent to relatives as evidence of her captivity.
Investigators also discovered that Uwadia’s son, Chibuzor Ochukwudem, 18, was the individual seen in the videos pointing a firearm at her head to make the kidnapping appear genuine.
ASP Ikoedem stated that all suspects connected to the plot have been arrested, while a search of the premises led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the production of the ransom videos.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the operatives for their professionalism and diligence in uncovering the elaborate deception. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to treating every reported kidnapping case with utmost seriousness and deploying all available resources to rescue victims and apprehend perpetrators.
The Police Commissioner also warned against false kidnapping schemes, noting that such acts constitute serious criminal offences and divert valuable security resources away from genuine victims of crime.
The Command urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies and avoid actions capable of creating fear and panic within society.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
