Nigerian woman fakes kidnap to extort N15m from brother

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman for allegedly faking her kidnapping to extort N15m from her younger brother.

The woman reportedly claimed that she had been abducted and taken to the bush by some men, who demanded N15m ransom for her release.

The police public relations officer of the command disclosed this in a video showing the woman confessing to the alleged crime.

The police spokesperson said the case was reported at the Ogwashi-Uku Divisional Police Headquarters on October 23, 2026, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Obu-Luku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, to investigate.

He said the operatives launched an intelligence-led investigation which exposed the alleged plot and led to the woman’s arrest.

The spokesperson said, “On October 23, 2026, a case of suspected kidnapping was reported at Oguachukwu Division, and the Commissioner of Police, in his wisdom, directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Obu-Luku to investigate.

“They started the investigation, and the result was alarming. In the past, we have heard of cases of self-kidnapping and fake kidnappings involving underage persons or teenagers aged 15, 16, 17 or 18 to 20.

“But we have never had a case involving a 54-year-old woman. It is quite unfortunate that she faked her own kidnapping because she wanted to extort N15m from her younger brother.

“We embarked on an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the eventual discovery that the kidnapping was fake. She was arrested before she started opening up.”

In a confessional statement contained in the video, the suspect admitted to staging her abduction and demanding the money from her brother.

She said, “I kidnapped myself. I told my brother I had been kidnapped when I went out to buy medicine, and it took me to the bush. I called my brother and told him.

“I told him they wanted N15m and that if he didn’t pay the money, they would kill me. It was the devil’s work. I want forgiveness. It was the devil’s work.”

The police spokesperson said the woman claimed to have been held for 12 days before her arrest.

He added that the investigation had revealed that she did not act alone, as some people were allegedly involved in the plot.

He said, “She claimed that she was kidnapped on October 23 and remained in captivity for 12 days, all in a bid to extort N15m from her brother.

“But thanks to the intelligence of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit here in Obu-Luku, she was eventually arrested, and the cat was let out of the bag.

“Some of the people she conspired with are being tracked, and we are definitely going to arrest them.”