The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old woman, Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, and three accomplices for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in a bid to fraudulently obtain ₦50 million ransom from her family.
Police said the suspects orchestrated the fake abduction, complete with recorded videos showing the victim tied up and threatened with a firearm to create the impression of a genuine kidnapping.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, the case was reported on June 1, 2026, by Mr. Tony Ugbowan, who claimed his wife had been abducted along Agbor Road, Benin City, with kidnappers demanding ₦50 million for her release.
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched an investigation, deploying intelligence and technical resources, which led to the arrest of one Israel Ability, 28, at Ramat Park. The victim’s mobile phone was recovered from him.
During interrogation, Ability confessed that he was hired by Mrs. Ugbowan to negotiate the ransom while posing as a kidnapper.
Further investigations led police to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where Mrs. Ugbowan was arrested on June 5. She reportedly confessed to staging the abduction.
Police subsequently arrested another suspect, Ochukwudem Uwadia, 38, whose residence was used to record the fake kidnapping videos sent to the victim’s family.
Investigators also identified Uwadia’s 18-year-old son, Chibuzor, as the individual seen in the videos pointing a firearm at the victim to reinforce the false narrative.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the staged recordings.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, commended officers for unraveling what he described as an elaborate criminal conspiracy, warning that false kidnapping schemes are serious offences that divert critical resources from genuine victims.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and avoid actions capable of inciting fear or undermining public safety.
