Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a woman, Chioma Success (27), who allegedly staged her own kidnapping to collect a ransom from her husband.
Two of her accomplices, Martins Chidozie, (23) and Osita Godfrey (33), were also arrested in connection with the alleged crime.
The state command’s deputy spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the suspects were arrested following an investigation into a case of kidnapping reported to the police.
She said that on October 27, 2025, one Paul Adaniken reported at the New Etete Police Division that he left his wife, Chioma Success Ezebie, and their three-year-old son, Andrea Ojiezelabor, at home before proceeding to his shop.
According to her, he later received a call from an unknown number informing him that his wife and son had been kidnapped.
The spokesperson said the abductors demanded a ransom of N5,000,000 to free them from captivity.
She explained that during the investigation, the victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey, who was earlier believed to be assisting with information, was found to be complicit in the crime and was arrested.
She added that Godfrey’s confessional statement led to the arrest of the supposed victim, Chioma Success, who conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction in order to extort money from her husband.
She said another suspect, Martins Chidozie, was also arrested in connection with the crime.
She confirmed that the N5 million ransom was recovered, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.
DAILY TRUST.
