Jun 9, 2026

Woman, Three Others Arrested Over Alleged Self-Kidnap Plot in Edo

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Police say suspects attempted to extort ₦50 million from family through staged abduction

The Edo State Police Command has uncovered what authorities describe as a carefully planned fake kidnapping scheme involving a 45-year-old woman and three accomplices who allegedly sought to extort ₦50 million from her family by staging her abduction.

According to police investigations, the woman, identified as Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, allegedly orchestrated her own disappearance and worked with members of a syndicate to convince relatives that she had been kidnapped.

The incident began when her husband, Mr. Tony Ugbowan, reported to the police that his wife had gone missing while travelling to her shop near Ramat Park along Agbor Road in Benin City.

He told investigators that shortly after her disappearance, he received calls from unknown individuals demanding ₦50 million for her release.

The report immediately triggered an investigation by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, who deployed intelligence and technical resources to trace those behind the alleged abduction.

The breakthrough came with the arrest of 28-year-old Israel Ability at Ramat Park in Benin City. Police said a mobile phone belonging to the supposed victim was recovered from him during the operation.

During interrogation, investigators said Ability confessed that he had been recruited by Mrs. Ugbowan to act as a negotiator and communicate ransom demands to her family while creating the impression that she was being held captive by kidnappers.

Further investigations led detectives to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where Mrs. Ugbowan was eventually arrested on June 5.

Police said she subsequently admitted to planning the fake kidnapping and directed investigators to the residence of another suspect, 38-year-old Ochukwudem Uwadia, also in Delta State.

According to investigators, the house served as the location where videos purportedly showing the victim in captivity were produced.

In the recordings, Mrs. Ugbowan appeared with her hands and feet tied while appeals for ransom were allegedly sent to family members as evidence that she had been kidnapped.

Police further disclosed that Uwadia’s 18-year-old son, Chibuzor, allegedly participated in the recordings by pointing a firearm at the woman’s head to make the videos appear authentic.

All four suspects have since been taken into custody.

A search conducted at the premises reportedly led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the production of the ransom videos.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, praised the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for what he described as a painstaking and professional investigation that exposed the elaborate deception.

He warned that the Command treats every kidnapping report as a serious security matter and commits significant resources to rescue operations and criminal investigations.

The police chief also cautioned members of the public against engaging in fabricated kidnapping schemes, stressing that such actions constitute serious criminal offences and divert security resources away from genuine victims in need of assistance.

Authorities urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities promptly and to avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary fear and panic within communities.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.