The Delta State Police Command has arrested a woman and her alleged accomplice for orchestrating a fake kidnapping in order to extort N3 million in ransom from her family.
Police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrest on Monday in Asaba, describing the incident as part of the command’s ongoing crackdown on crime across the state.
According to Edafe, the suspect, Merit Eleh, 29, conspired with one Alfred Elisha and Ugochukwu Adim to stage her abduction on July 21 in the Ajaji (Bonsaac) Layout area of Asaba.
Acting on a distress report, Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda immediately directed the Commander of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, SP Godwin Osadolor, to lead a swift rescue operation.
The police launched a coordinated, intelligence-led investigation which led to the arrest of Elisha at the Koka Roundabout and Adim off DLA Road in Asaba on July 22. Upon interrogation, Elisha reportedly confessed that the kidnapping was staged in collaboration with the supposed victim.
His confession led to the arrest of Eleh, who admitted to masterminding the hoax in order to repay a N3.6 million loan taken from her brother.
She revealed that the borrowed funds had been spent on her bridal shower and hotel accommodations during her wedding earlier in March.
“Merit Eleh confessed to faking her abduction and collecting a N3 million ransom. She said she kept N2.5 million for herself and gave her accomplices N500,000,” Edafe said.
All three suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing, police confirmed.