A 27-year old woman, Chioma Success Ezebie, has been arrested by operatives of the Edo Police Command for kidnapping herself and collecting N5 million ransom from her husband.
Chioma had abducted herself and three-year-old son on October 27, 2025 and made one Martins Chidozie, aged 23, to call her husband that they have been kidnapped, reports The Nation.
Her husband, Paul Adaniken, reported to the Police and the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a full-scale cyber analysis and intelligence-led operations that led to the victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey, aged 33.
Police said Godfrey, believed to be assisting with information, was found to be complicit in the crime.
Edo deputy spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said Osita’s confessional statement led to the arrest of Chioma.
Ikoedem said Chioma was discovered to have conspired with accomplices to stage her abduction in order to extort money from her husband.
“All suspects have made useful confessional statements, ransom of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) recovered and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and onward prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, has commended the officers of the New Etete Division for their swift and tactical response, which led to the unraveling of this deceitful act.
“He also warns residents to desist from acts capable of undermining public peace while emphasising that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence and technology-driven strategies to combat crime in all forms.”
