A shocking drama has unfolded as a married woman, identified as Oluchi, allegedly staged her own kidnap and demanded a N50 million ransom from her family, only to be discovered in a hotel with her lover in Delta State.
The bizarre incident left family members, friends and well-wishers devastated after they had desperately mobilised support and funds to secure her release.
The woman’s children, including her daughter based in Canada, had publicly appealed for financial assistance, believing their mother had been abducted in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
However, police investigations reportedly uncovered a different story.
A source familiar with the case disclosed that investigators tracked the phone number of the suspected accomplice to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the woman was allegedly found staying with her lover.
“The police traced the man’s number to a hotel in Delta State. They met both of them in the hotel room. The husband was later invited and informed of what had happened,” the source said.
According to the source, the woman pleaded with her husband not to reveal the truth to their children after the discovery.
In an emotional video, her daughter, Anita, expressed shock and disappointment over the incident, describing it as a betrayal that had shattered the family.
“I only wanted my mother back home. I never knew anything about this. My family is in shock. My reputation has been damaged and my father has health challenges. This is heartbreaking,” she lamented.
She added that no ransom was paid and promised that all money raised during the rescue campaign would be refunded.
The Harmony Ladies Club, a social group that had rallied support for the family during the supposed ordeal, also expressed anger and disappointment after learning that the kidnap claim was allegedly fabricated.
In a statement, the group said it felt deeply betrayed after providing emotional, financial and logistical support during what members believed was a genuine life-threatening situation.
“It is with profound disappointment that we discovered the entire kidnapping incident was allegedly staged,” the group stated.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said four persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Police investigations are ongoing as authorities move to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnap hoax.
